A Daily Word - Chappell
A Daily Word - Chappell
A Daily Word - Chappell
366
Scriptural Devotions
for Growing Christians
PAUL CHAPPELL
Copyright © 2009, 2012, 2015 by Striving Together Publications. All
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version.
ISBN 978-1-59894-076-3
Daily Devotions. 23
Bibliography . . . 420
Dear Friend,
Don't you love a good meal? There's nothing like coming home to a
delicious, piping hot dinner my wife has made! I look forward to it all
day long, and I never want to miss it.
I wonder if we have the same hunger for spiritual food as we do
for physical food. You see, God's Word is to our souls what food is to our
bodies-it nourishes and strengthens us. The patriarch Job had a wise
perspective when he said, "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more
than my necessary food" (Job 23:12B).
Jesus, too, likened God's Word to food: ''And Jesus answered him,
saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word ofGod" (Luke 4:4). Just as we daily nourish our bodies, we must daily
nourish our souls by spending time with the Lord reading His Word.
A Daily Word has been designed especially to compliment (like
an appetizer or desert) your personal time with God. Each of the 366
devotions are based on Scriptures that will encourage, challenge, and
strengthen you in your walk with the Lord.
It is my prayer that each devotion in A Daily Word will help you
in your spiritual growth and encourage you to draw closer to the Lord
everyday.
Sincerely in Christ,
Paul Chappell
4
PRACTICES OF EFFECTIVE
CHRISTIANS
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A Daily Word
2. Organize by topic.
Many people attempt to learn the "Golden Chapters" or whole books
of the Bible. While this is a noble attempt, it is not the way the Word
of God will be used while teaching or preaching. Choose a topic you
would like to study and then memorize every verse that deals with it.
The next time you are speaking on that particular subject, your mind
will be able to tie these verses together to truly allow you to ''preach the
Word ... "
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On the following pages you will find many major Bible doctrines and key
verses to memorize. It is time to put into practice these six principles.
The Bible
Psalm 119:160- Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy
righteous judgments endureth for ever.
Isaiah 40:8- The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our
God shall stand for ever.
Hebrews 4:12-For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper
than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and
spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart.
Matthew 24:35-Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not
pass away.
God
Psalm m:9-He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his
covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
A Daily \'Vord
Isaiah 57:15-For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity,
whose name is holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that
is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to
revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Deuteronomy 32:4-He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are
judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Psalm 138:2-I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for
thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above
all thy name.
John 4:24-God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in
spirit and in truth.
Psalm 90:2-Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst
formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou
art God.
Jesus Christ
John 1:1, 14-In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full ofgrace and truth.
Colossians 1:16-17-For by him were all things created, that are in heaven,
and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and
for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
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1\ D~1ily 'Nord
1 Timothy 2:5-6-For there is one God, and one mediator between God and
men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified
in due time.
Hebrews 1:8-But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, 0 God, is for ever and
ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Luke 19:10--The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Holy Spirit
John 14:16-And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:26-But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father
will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to
your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 15:26-But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you
from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father,
he shall testify of me:
John 16:13-14-Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide
you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall
hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall
glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
1Corinthians 3:16-Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the
Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
Ephesians 4:3o-And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are
sealed unto the day of redemption.
Ephesians 5:18-And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled
with the Spirit;
Mankind
Genesis 1:26-27-And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the
fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every
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A Dailv Word
creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own
image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he
them.
Job 14:1, 14-Man that is born of a woman is offew days, and full of trouble.
If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I
wait, till my change come.
Psalm 8:4-s-What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of
man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the
angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Isaiah 64:6-But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses
are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the
wind, have taken us away.
Romans 3:10-11-As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Romans 3:23-For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Sin
Numbers 32:23-But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the
LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
Ezekiel18:2o-The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the
iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the
righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the
wicked shall be upon him.
Romans 6:23-For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal
life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
James 1:15-Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin,
when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
1 John 1:Pr-1o-If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the
truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have
not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
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A Daily \Vord
1 John 3:4-Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is
the transgression of the law.
Jeremiah 17:9-The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked: who can know it?
Salvation
Isaiah 45:22-Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I
am God, and there is none else.
Isaiah 43:11-12-I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I
have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange
god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.
John 14:6-!esus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Acts 4:12-Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other
name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Romans 10:9-10-That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with
the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9-For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:5-Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according
to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Ghost;
Church
Matthew 16:18-And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this
rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Colossians 1:18-And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the
preeminence.
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A Dailv Word
Angels
Genesis 3:24-So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the
garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to
keep the way of the tree of life.
Psalm 148:2, 5-Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
Let them praise the name of the LoRD: for he commanded, and they were
created.
Isaiah 6:1-3-In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting
upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it
stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face,
and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried
unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LoRD of hosts: the whole earth
is full of his glory.
Mark 13:32-But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the
angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
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Hebrews 1:5-6-For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art
my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father,
and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten
into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with
a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the
dead in Christ shall rise first:
End Times
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18-But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which
have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them
also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by
the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of
the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with
the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are
alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet
the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort
one another with these words.
John 14:1-3-Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in
me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye
maybe also.
Acts 1:10-11-And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up,
behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of
Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken
up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go
into heaven.
Revelation 22:2o-He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come
quickly. Amen. Even so, come. Lord Jesus.
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i\ Daily Wllrd
1. A soulwinner should start with the truth of God's love for every
individual.
John 3:16 is perhaps the most familiar verse in all the New
Testament. "For God so loved the world ...." There are sinners living
today who actually believe that God hates them and wants them to
go to Hell because of their sin. A sinner will never accept a Saviour
who he believes will never love him.
3. A soulwinner must teach the sinner that his sin carries with it an
expensive price tag.
According to Romans 6:23, "the wages of sin is death ...." In Ezekiel
18:20, the Israelites learned that the soul that sinned would die. As
a soulwinner, the person you are dealing with has the wrath of
God already abiding on him (John 3:36).
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!\ D~1ih Word
6. Ask the sinner, "Is there anything that would hinder you from
trusting Christ right now, today, as your Saviour?"
This question will show the soulwinner if there are still any
"obstacles" that must be removed before a sinner trusts Christ. It
will also serve as a good transition into drawing the Gospel net.
After a sinner is saved, the Great Commission is still unfulfilled.
We are commanded to go, to win, to baptize, and to teach
(disciple). An effective soulwinner will determine to see each
aspect of the Great Commission come to fruition with those he
leads to Christ.
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A Daily Word
Verses Remembered by
Effective Christians
When you lose sight of His greatness:
Jeremiah 32:17, Jeremiah 33:3, Psalm 147:5, Romans 11:33-36, and
1 Chronicles 29:11-14
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i\ Daiiv \Vord
lR
A Daily Wurd
Psalm 119:105
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Psalmu9:9
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto
according to thy word."
May God's Word draw you closer to Him, and help you be the
Christian He saved you to be.
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r\ Daily Wc1rd
One-Year Bible
Reading Schedule
January February March
CJ Gen.l-3 Matt. I U Ex.27-28 Matt.21:1-22 U Num.20-22 Mark7:I-I3
0 Gen.4--6 Matt.2 U Ex. 29-30 Matt.21:23-46 0 Num.23-25 Mark 7:14-37
:..J Gen. 7-9 Matt.3 U Ex.31-33 Matt. 22:I-22 U Num.26-28 MarkS
0 Gen.I0-12 Matt.4 ::J Ex.34-35 Matt. 22:23-46 0 Num.29-3I Mark9:1-29
W Gen.l3-15 .Matt. 5:1-26 0 Ex.36-38 Matt.23:1-22 U Num.32-34 Mark 9:30-50
::J 6 Gen. 16-17 Matt.5:27--48 8 6 Ex. 39-40 Matt.23:23--39 [..] Num.35-36 Mark 10:1-31
U Gen.IS--19 Matt.6:1-l8 0 Lev.l-3 Matt.24:1-28 0 Deut.l-3 Mark 10:32-52
0 Gen.20-22 Matt.6:l9-34 :::J Lev. 4-5 Matt.24:29-51 U Deut.4--6 Mark11:1-18
0 9 Gen. 23-24 Matt.? ..:J 9 Lev.6-7 Matt.25:J-30 U 9 Deut. 7-9 Mark 11:19-33
0 10 Gen. 25--26 Matt.S:l-17 ::J 10 Lev. 8-10 Matt.25:31-46 U 10 Deut. 10-12 Mark12:1-27
lJ 11 Gen. 27-28 Matt. 8:18-34 ~ 11 Lev.ll-12 Matt.26:1-25 :::J 11 Deut.l3-15 Mark 12:28-44
0 12 Gen. 29--30 Matt.9:1-17 CJ 12 Lev.I3 Matt.26:26-50 :.J 12 Deut. 16-18 Markl3:1-20
U 13 Gen. 31-32 Matt.9:I8-38 .J 13 Lev. 14 Matt.26:51-75 U 13 Deut. 19-21 Mark13:21-37
0 14 Gen. 33-35 Matt.IO:l-20 ::J 14 Lev.I5-16 Matt.27:1-26 U 14 Deut. 22-24 Mark 14:1-26
1
,:] 15 Gen. 36-38 Matt.l0:21--42 U 15 Lev. 17-18 Matt.27:27-50 (.J 15 Deut. 25-27 Mark 14:27-53
U 16 Gen. 39-40 Matt. II .J 16 Lev. 19-20 Matt.27:51-66 U 16 Deut. 28-29 Mark 14:54-72
U 17 Gen.41-42 Matt.12:1-23 0 17 Lev. 21-22 Matt.28 '..J 17 Deut. 30-31 MarkiS:I-25
:..J 18 Gen. 43-45 Matt. 12:24-50 [..] 18 Lev. 23-24 Mark 1:1-22 U 18 Deut. 32-34 Mark 15:26-47
:J 19 Gen.46-48 Matt. 13:1-30 U 19 Lev. 25 Mark 1:23-45 0 19 Josh. 1-3 Markl6
'.J 20 Gen.49--SO Matt.13:31-58 0 20 Lev. 26-27 Mark2 ..J 20 Josh. 4-6 Luke 1:1-20
:.J 21 Ex.l-3 Matt.l4:1-21 U 21 Num.l-2 Mark3:1-19 :J 21 Josh. 7-9 Luke 1:21-38
'..J 22
Ex.4--6 Matt.l4:22-36 0 22 Num.3-4 Mark3:20-35 ..J 22 Josh. l{)-l2 Luke 1:39-56
·:J Ex. 7-8
23 Matt.IS:l-20 U 23 Num.5-6 Mark4:1-20 ·..J 23 Josh. 13-15 Luke 1:57-80
:.J 24 Ex. 9--il Matt.15:21-39 U 24 Num. 7-8 Mark 4:21-41 .J 24 Josh. 16-18 Luke 2:1-24
0 25 Ex.l2-13 Matt.l6 [J 25 Num. 9-11 MarkS:l-20 ..:J 25 Josh. 19-21 Luke 2:25-52
.:J 26 Ex. 14-15 Matt.17 U 26 Num.12-14 Mark 5:21-43 '.:.J 26 Josh. 22-24 Luke3
u 27 Ex. 16-18 Matt.IS:I-20 U 27 Num. 15-16 Mark6:1-29 :.J 27 Judges 1-3 Luke4:1-30
::J 28 Ex.l9--20 Matt.l8:21-35 W 28 Num.l7-19 Mark 6:30-56 :.J 28 Judges 4-6 Luke 4:31-44
[J 29 Ex.21-22 Matt.19 ..J 29 Judges 7-8 Luke 5:1-16
:J 30 Ex. 23-24 Matt.20:1-16 ,:1 30 Judges 9-10 Luke5:17-39
w 31 Ex.25-26 Matt.20:17-34 U 31 Judges 11-12 Luke 6:1-26
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A Daily Word
21
;\ Dad y \'V ord
90-Day Bible
Reading Schedule
D.t) St.trl l nd v D.tv St.u t 1 nd V
Genesis 1:1 Genesis 16:16 0 46 Proverbs 7:1 Proverbs 20:21 0
2 Genesis 17:1 Genesis 28: 19 0 47 Proverbs 20:22 Ecclesiastes 2:26 0
3 Genesis 28:20 Genesis 40:11 0 48 Ecclesiastes 3:1 Song8:14 0
Genesis 40: 12 Genesis 50:26 0 49 Isaiah 1:1 Isaiah 13:22 0
Exodus 1:1 Exodus 15:18 0 SO Isaiah 14:1 Isaiah 28:29 0
6 Exodus 15:19 Exodus 28:43 0 51 Isaiah 29:1 Isaiah41:18 0
Exodus 29:1 Exodus 40:38 0 52 Isaiah 41:19 Isaiah 52:12 0
Leviticus 1: I Leviticus 14:32 0 53 Isaiah 52: 13 Isaiah 66:18 0
9 Leviticus 14:33 Leviticus 26:26 0 54 Isaiah 66: 19 Jeremiah 10: 13 0
10 Leviticus 26:27 Numbers 8:14 0 55 Jeremiah I 0:14 Jeremiah 23:8 0
11 Numbers 8:15 Numbers21:7 0 56 Jeremiah 23:9 Jeremiah 33:22 0
12 Numbers 21:8 Numbers 32:19 0 57 Jeremiah 33:23 Jeremiah 47:7 0
13 Numbers 32:20 Deuteronomy 7:26 0 58 Jeremiah 48:1 Lamentations 1:22 0
14 Deuteronomy 8:1 Deuteronomy 23:11 0 59 Lamentations 2:1 Ezekiell2:20 0
15 Deuteronomy23:12 Deuteronomy 34:12 0 60 Ezekiell2:21 Ezekiel23:39 0
16 Joshua 1:1 Joshua 14:15 0 61 Ezekiel2HO Ezekiel 35: IS 0
17 JoshualS:l Judges 3:27 0 62 Ezekiel 36: I Ezekiel47:12 0
18 Judges 3,28 Judges 15:12 0 63 Ezekiel47:13 Daniel8:27 0
19 Judges 15,13 I Samuel2:29 0 64 Daniel9:1 Hosea 13:6 0
20 I Samuel 2:30 1 Samuel15:35 0 65 Hosea 13:7 Amos9:10 0
21 1 Samuell6:1 1 Samuel28:19 0 66 Amos9:11 Nahum3:19 0
22 I Samuel28,20 2 Samuel12:10 0 67 Habakkuk 1:1 Zechariah 10:12 0
23 2 Samuell2:1l 2 Samuel22:18 0 68 Zechariah 11:1 Matthew 4:25 0
24 2 Samuel22:19 1 Kings 7:37 0 69 Matthew 5:1 Matthew 15:39 0
25 1 Kings 7:38 1 Kings 16:20 0 70 Matthew 16: I Matthew 26:56 0
26 I Kings 16,21 2 Kings4:37 0 71 Matthew 26:57 Mark 9:13 0
27 2 Kings 4,35 2 Kings 15:26 0 72 Mark9:14 Luke 1:80 0
28 2 Kings 15:27 2 Kings 25:30 0 73 Luke 2:1 Luke 9:62 0
29 I Chronicles 1:1 1 Chronicles 9:44 0 74 Luke 10:1 Luke 20:19 0
30 I Chronicles 10: I l Chronicles 23:32 0 75 Luke 20:20 John 5:47 0
31 1 Chronicles 24:1 2 Chronicles 7:10 0 76 John 6:1 John 15:17 0
32 2 Chronicles 7:11 2 Chronicles 23:15 0 77 John 15,18 Acts6:7 0
33 2 Chronicles 23:16 2 Chronicles 35:15 0 78 Acts 6:8 Acts 16:37 0
34 2 Chronicles 35:16 Ezra 10:44 0 79 Acts 16:38 Acts 28:16 0
35 Nehemiah 1:1 Nehemiah 13:14 0 80 Acts 28:17 Romans 14:23 0
36 Nehemiah 13:15 Job 7:21 0 81 Romans 15:1 1 Corinthians 14:40 0
37 Job 8'1 Job 24:25 0 82 1 Corinthians 15:1 Galatians 3:25 0
38 Job 25:1 Job 41:34 0 83 Galatians 3:26 Colossians 4:18 0
39 Job 42'1 Psalm 24:10 0 84 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Philemon 25 0
40 Psalm 25:1 Psalm 45:14 0 85 Hebrews 1:1 James 3:12 0
41 Psalm45:15 Psalm69:21 0 86 James 3:13 3 John 14 0
42 Psalm 69:22 Psalm 89:13 0 87 Jude I Revelation 17:18 0
43 Psalm 89:14 Psalm 108:13 0 88 Revelation 18:1 Revelation 22:21 0
44 Psalm 109:1 Psalm 134:3 0 89 Grace Day Grace Day 0
45 Psalm 135:1 Proverbs 6:35 0 90 Grace Day Grace Day 0
22
JANUARY
c~
January l
anuary 1, 1989, was a Sunday, and it was the day the Migliore family
J decided to start the new year right by coming to Lancaster Baptist
Church. Three weeks later, Dan, Pennie, and two of their children walked
the aisle to receive Christ as their Saviour. Their other daughter was saved
a few weeks later. For the Migliore family, this new year was the beginning
of a brand new life!
The new year gives us all opportunities for new beginnings-
especially in relation to faithful Bible reading. If we are to maintain a
faithful walk with Christ, we must develop a passion for His Word. How
is this done?
First, refuse to miss a day. You may get busy or have other things
suddenly come into your day, but refuse to go a day without spending
time in God's Word. When you do miss your time with God, don't become
discouraged and give up. Put that day behind you and spend a little extra
time with God the next day. If you desire to have a passion for the Word of
God, make sure you consistently spend time with God.
Second, pray for understanding. David prayed, "Open thou mine
eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the
earth: hide not thy commandments from me" (Psalm 119:18-19). Even the
most knowledgeable Bible scholars cannot understand the Bible unless
God opens their eyes.
Third, look for practical applications of what you read. Ask the Lord
to help you understand how to apply His Word to your life.
Do you want a passion for God's Word? Do you want to grow closer
to Christ as a result of your time with Him? Seek to maintain a faithful
walk with God and ask Christ for understanding each time you approach
His Word. As you develop a passion for His Word, His Word will be able
to impact your life.
Continuing in Fellowship
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking
bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and
singleness ofheart,-ACTS 2:46
GENESIS 4 6 * MATTHEW 2 25
January 3
Continuing in Prayer
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne ofgrace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.-HEBREWS 4:16
His Creation
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.
And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.-GENESIS 1:31
He Cares
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.-1 PETER 5:7
Do It Immediately
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest,
and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt
offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of And Abraham
rose up early in the morning.. .. -GENESIS 22:2-3
t was the day of the wedding, and besides the normal marriage
I excitement, an extra buzz was around the room about a certain group
of guests. Jesus was attending this wedding. But notice that He wasn't
simply passing by, He was invited to the wedding.
The Lord should be invited to every wedding. He should be the
welcomed guest of every activity in your life. Every trip to the store, day
at work, family vacation, and time with friends should be accompanied
by God's presence.
Many times Christians don't invite Christ into their day because it
would mean neglecting certain activities or changing certain habits. What
in your life today would have to be different if you were to invite God to
accompany you? What is holding you back from inviting God to take part
in every activity of your day?
God doesn't want merely to be a bystander; He wants to be the
invited guest of your day. He is with you already, but He desires for you to
include Him in every decision you make, every activity you take part in,
and every thought you think.
I once read that some people regard God just as an airman regards
his parachute; it's there for emergencies, but he hopes he'll never have to
use it. Only when God is invited in your everyday life will the miraculous
take place. Had our Lord not been invited to this wedding, He would not
have been there to help them when they needed Him.
Invite God with you every step of the way. Don't wait for the car
crash or the pink slip; ask God to walk with you today. Start each day
by saying, "Lord, I want You to go before me today. I want to walk in
fellowship with You in this very hour. You are invited to be part of all I
think and do."
heard the story of a man who visited Portugal some years ago on an
I evangelistic tour. He was delighted to find many believers who were
"spiritual giants." Among them was a missionary named Eric Barker, who
had spent over fifty years in Portugal preaching the Gospel.
During World War II, Barker was advised to send his wife and
eight children to England for safety. His sister and her three children
were also evacuated on the same ship. He remained behind to carry on
God's work. On the Sunday following their departure, he stood before
his congregation and said, "''ve just received word that all my family have
arrived safely home!" Later in the service, the full meaning of his words
became known to his people.
Just before the meeting, he learned that a submarine had torpedoed
the ship that was carrying his family. Everyone on board had drowned, but
he knew that because all were believers, they had reached a more "desired
haven" (Psalm 107:30). They were truly home. Although overwhelmed
with grief, the knowledge that his family was enjoying the bliss of Heaven
comforted his heart.
Don't let the word Heaven become so commonplace to you that
you do not realize the magnificence of it! Not only is it a beautiful place
with streets of gold, but God Himself is there! We, as Christians, will be
with Him for all eternity!
Take time today to thank God for preparing a home for you. Thank
Him for creating such a beautiful place for us to spend eternity with Him!
Also, remember that not everyone has the hope of a home in Heaven.
Let someone know today that God loves them and is preparing a home
for them!
crowd of people gathered to hear from the One who healed the sick
A and had compassion on the sinner. Jesus began to minister to the
crowd by comforting them and healing their illnesses. They were in a
desert place, and the evening time quickly came upon them. No villages
were close enough to prepare food for the large crowd. Seeing this need,
Jesus gave thanks and used a boy's lunch to feed thousands (John 6:n).
Because Lazarus was such a close friend to Jesus and a dear brother
to Mary and Martha, when he died, they all deeply mourned his death.
Four days after he passed away, Jesus stood before the cave which held
his body and gave thanks to His Father for hearing His prayer. He then
commanded Lazarus to come forth. Miraculously, Lazarus rose from his
grave (John 11:41).
Sitting around a table, Jesus was surrounded by His disciples. In
just a short time, He would be nailed to the Cross and separated from His
Father. Knowing such suffering was about to take place, He stood before
those whom He loved and ministered, and He praised God by giving
thanks (1 Corinthians 11:24).
When Jesus gave thanks, great things followed-the feeding of
five thousand, the renewed life of a friend, and eternal salvation. Are
you willing to give thanks before a time of testing or when you need a
miracle? Someone once said, "Giving thanks is not a small prayer you
chant before receiving a meal; it is the way you live:' Today, may we "Enter
into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful
unto him, and bless his name. For the LoRD is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations" (Psalm 100:4-5).
He Is Coming Again1
john bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake,
He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
-JOHN I:IS
.
C orne into the life ofJohn the Baptist with me through the Scriptures,
and see this man who says of Christ, "Behold the Lamb of God."
What was John the Baptist's specific ministry? He was to identify the
Saviour. John the Baptist identified for those who gathered around him
who Jesus really was, that He was the eternal, preexistent Son of God,
come to deliver them from their sins.
You have been given the same mission today. Jesus Christ is coming
again very quickly, and, as a Christian, you are to be that voice crying
out in the wilderness, preparing men and women for His return. As in
John's day, the world today is lost and searching for answers but does not
know where to turn. You are to be the light, pointing them to a returning
Saviour and a risen Lord.
John the Baptist didn't focus on himself; he pointed people to
Christ, the eternal God. While many teachers of the day were looking to
push their own agenda or display their own ideas, John the Baptist's only
mission was to foretell the coming of Christ.
Many today fall prey to wrong teachings or other beliefs because
they do not know the significance of who Jesus truly is. He is the eternal
Son of God who died on Calvary for the sins of the world and rose from
the grave three days later.
Have you been faithfully proclaiming to those around you that Jesus
is coming again? The world will look to religion, science, and other things
for answers, but like John the Baptist, you are to be God's forerunner,
telling them of His soon return. Ask God for boldness and clarity of
thought in telling others of His coming. Rely on His strength to faithfully
be the forerunner of His coming as you go about your day today.
Defining Love
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:
and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.-! JOHN 3:16
ne author wrote, "Do not waste your time bothering whether you
O love' your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find
one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone,
you will presently come to love him:'
Our culture has redefined the word love. While the world around us
tells us love is an emotion, God shows us that love is a choice. It is choosing
to love someone and showing them our love through our actions.
The Bible uses several different Greek root words for our English
word love. One word the Bible uses is philos, which refers to a brotherly
love. It is the word used to show the love between friends. Also, the Bible
uses the word agape. This word carries a stronger meaning and is used in
reference to a high level of divine love.
Agape love does not love simply when it is convenient or when we
feel like it, but because it is what God has commanded. There will be
times in our lives when we do not fed like loving someone, but that is
when agape love must take over. We must look to Christ for strength and
display our love to others.
Christ showed us His agape love by dying on the Cross. He did not
die for us simply because He had an emotion of love, but because He
made a choice to honor and obey His Father. God loved us so much that
He gave!
How are you showing your love to those around you? Love is not
merely an emotion; it is an action. We show others the love of Christ by
what we do, not by what we feel. Ask God to help you love others today
even if you do not feel like it.
Blessed to Be a Blessing
And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears,
and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and
fashioned it with a graving tool .. .. -EXODUS 32:3-4
Used by God
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.-ROMANS 12:1-2
W e all battle with the same hidden habit. It is hidden because it exists
in our thoughts. It constantly drains the energy God gives us to
face daily problems and to fulfill our many responsibilities.
Eliminating this habit would give us more energy to serve God,
more focus to accomplish His work, and more faith to entrust God.
The habit is worry, and it takes root when the cares of this world take
precedence over the promises of Christ.
When Jimmy Stewart enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World
War II, his father, Alex Stewart, chose to trust his son to God. He sent a
farewell letter with Jimmy to encourage his son to trust God as well.
My dear Jim boy. Soon after you read this letter, you will be
on your way to the worst sort of danger. Jim, I'm banking on the
enclosed copy of the 91st Psalm. The thing that takes the place
of fear and worry is the promise of these words. I am staking my
faith in these words. I feel sure that God will lead you through
this mad experience. I can say no more. I only continue to pray.
Goodbye, my dear. God bless you and keep you. I love you more
than I can tell you. Dad.
Jimmy Stewart later stated that he learned to trust the words of
Psalm 91 during the height of battle. He returned home unharmed and a
decorated hero. Stewart carried the letter with him for the rest of his life,
and the words from the Psalm that his father gave him are written on his
grave marker: "For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in
all thy ways."
What are you worrying about today? Find the victory over worry
through trust in God's promises.
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to
me I will in no wise cast out.-]OHN 6:37
A Bitter Spirit
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of
bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
-HEBREWS 12:15
was once walking down a sidewalk that was badly cracked from the
I roots of a nearby mulberry tree. While I was careful of my step, I noticed
those passing by me who were not as careful. They would stumble or trip
over the roots. Even so, if we are not careful to "watch our step" in life, we
can be tripped by the roots of bitterness.
Many Christians struggle with bitterness and an unforgiving spirit.
Satan constantly uses past experiences to defeat God's people in the area
of bitterness. Yet when we harbor bitterness, we are hurting ourselves
the most.
The devil would like us to be focused on other things and not see
the roots of bitterness in our lives. The writer of Hebrews warns that if
we are not careful to examine our lives and see if there is any bitterness,
those feelings will hinder us from being used by God.
Friend, while the world around us tells us to seek revenge and
demand justice, God calls us to forgive and to let go of bitterness. We
must not underestimate the power that anger and bitterness can have on
our lives. They can take us away from God and out of His will.
Is there any bitterness in your life today? Is there someone in your
life who brings thoughts of anger or hurt feelings to your mind when
you hear their name? God desires that we would have hearts void of any
ill feelings toward others. Spend time in prayer now and ask Christ to
forgive you for those bitter feelings. Also, ask Him to help you forgive
those who wronged you and help you avoid bitterness in your life today.
Replacing Bitterness
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one
another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against
any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things
put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God
rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye
thankful.-COLOSSIANS 3:12-15
42
January 20
David or Saul?
And the LoRD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul,
seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with
oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided
me a king among his sons.- I SAMUEL 16:1
o king in Israel's history was more loved and more mentioned than
N David. David, a man after God's own heart, was used by God to
bring the nation of Israel out of obscurity and into great power during
that time in history. David was called to be a king of Israel at a young age
while he was tending to his father's sheep.
Saul, the current king when David was anointed, had once been
sensitive toward the things of God. Yet as time went on, he fell out of
fellowship with God. God was saddened because of the wicked life Saul
and His people had chosen to live. It was because of Saul's rebellion that
God sought for another king.
God chose David to be the next king because he had a passion to
know and serve God. He didn't sit by and watch others serve the Lord. He
volunteered to help in any area needed. He gave God his heart, and he
served Him out of love.
Today, God is still looking for men and women who will give Him
their whole hearts. Too many Christians have the mentality of Saul.
They've become complacent in their Christianity. They take things for
granted like souls saved, people baptized, and lives transformed. They go
through the routine of Christianity without truly serving God with their
whole hearts.
Who are you more like-David or Saul? Do you willingly pitch in
and help around church? Or do you let others serve? Are you passionately
seeking to serve God with your whole heart? Or would you rather follow
after the pleasures of this world? Determine to serve God through a
surrendered heart. When God has your heart, there is no limit to what
He can do through you.
od's selection of David to be the next king was not based on David's
G outward attributes or talents but on his heart. What a wonderful
moment in David's life! He was being chosen to rule the nation of Israel.
It is also a wonderful moment when God uses us as His children. We are
blessed to be a part of the plan of God!
Robert Murray McCheyne wrote this to a friend just after that
friend had been ordained: "In great measure, according to the purity and
perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents
God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful
[profound] weapon in the hand of God."
It did not matter how David played the harp, handled the flocks,
or shot an arrow. All David's physical talents were secondary to his heart
for God. He thought about God, sang to God, and read the Word of God.
Because he desired to please God with his life, God chose him to be the
next king of Israel.
God is not looking for someone who can sing the best solo, preach
the best sermon, or outperform others. All the talent in this world means
nothing if you are not following God and seeking to know Him more.
God desires a heart that is wholly committed to Him.
Do you ever feel inadequate, as if God cannot use you? Don't look
at your outward abilities to evaluate whether or not God can use you.
God uses those who have a heart for Him. Get involved at church and
start serving God in whatever way you can! God will use you if you have
a heart for Him.
oliath was a nine-foot giant who shouted threats and cursed God's
G people on a daily basis. As Goliath cried out against God and
threatened the armies oflsrael, King Saul and his armies cowered and hid
from the Philistines. No one wanted to enter a seemingly one-sided fight
with the giant. But when everyone else hid from the challenge, David
realized that this battle was not only a battle between the Philistines and
the children of Israel, but it was a battle of the God of Israel and the gods
of the Philistines.
David was concerned that the enemies of God would speak out
against his God. It angered him with a holy anger that others would mock
the one he loved. Rather than looking at the size of Goliath, David looked
at the size of his God and realized that with God all things are possible.
We need Christians like David today. When others mock Christianity
or the Lord, we need people who will boldly take a stand and determine
to move forward in faith with the cause to further the Gospel.
Attacks on God and His people are nothing new. The devil has
targeted Christians ever since the days of Christ, but the threats of others
should not stop us from telling people about Christ. People may ridicule,
demean, or even threaten you, but Christ has commanded us to stand,
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13).
Have you ever been discouraged by all the attacks against God
and His people? Friend, the only reason Christianity is being attacked
is because the devil knows how powerful Spirit-filled Christians are!
Determine today that no matter what may come your way, you will stand
up for Christ and follow Him.
One Requirement
And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as
for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring
to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.-GENESIS 50:19-20
T hrough all the trials Joseph experienced, it could be said that he was
always faithful to God. Joseph's journey was a journey of faithfulness.
First Corinthians 4:2 says, "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man
be found faithful." God says, "I have one requirement of you. I want you to
be faithful:' God has given His children many different talents but there
is only one thing He requires that all Christians can do-be faithful.
Joseph could have quit many times throughout his life. He could
have given up when his brothers laughed at him after he relayed his
dreams to them. He could have quit when his brothers sold him into
slavery. He could have quit after being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife,
or when he was wrongly imprisoned and forgotten by the butler after the
butler promised to help him. So many times Joseph could have given up
on God, yet he remained faithful.
Friend, there may be times in your life when discouragement comes.
You may see that others are being blessed or that others are being used
differently than you, but know one thing-God wants you to be faithful.
God has one requirement for your life. It's not for you to sing in the
church choir, help in the nursery, or help out your neighbors (although
He is pleased when you do these things). God only requires you to
be faithful.
Are you being faithful to God today? Are you faithfully reading His
Word, serving Him, and telling others of His salvation? Do not let Satan
discourage you by showing you the lives of other Christians. God doesn't
want you to be like others; He simply wants you to be faithful to Him.
Come unto Me
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light.-MATTHEW II:28-30
once heard a story of a pet store delivery truck that was experiencing
I difficulty. At every stoplight the driver would get out and hit the sides
of the truck with a wooden board. When someone fmally asked him what
he was doing, the driver responded, "This is only a two-ton truck, and I
am carrying four tons of canaries, so I have got to keep two tons of them
in the air all the time."
This is a good picture of many of our lives! It may seem as if while
we are going down life's road, we have to keep stopping to make sure
everything is in order. But Christ wants us to commit our lives to Him.
When we commit our lives to Him, He will give us rest and relief from
our burdens. We do not have to worry about what will happen to us, but
we can entrust our lives to God's care.
Amy Carmichael was a missionary to South India for fifty-six years,
never returning home to Ireland for a furlough. An accident damaged
her leg and left her bedridden for the last twenty years of her life. It was
during those years in bed that she wrote most of her forty books. God
used her experience of suffering to bring encouragement to millions of
people. As Amy remained committed to Christ, He gave her rest and used
her to touch many lives.
A life of commitment to Christ includes living for God no matter
the burdens or trials we go through. Are you living a life of commitment
to our Lord? When trials or difficulties come into your life, bring
them to the Lord, and He will give you rest and bring blessing out of
your burdens.
n Athenian one day found Aesop at play with a company oflittle boys
A at their childish diversions, and began to jeer and laugh at him for it.
Aesop quietly took a bow, unstrung, and laid it upon the ground. Then
calling the censorious Athenian said, "Now, expound the riddle, and tell,
if you can, what the unstrung bow implies." The man, after racking his
brains for awhile, at last gave it up, and declared he knew not what to
make of it. "Why," said Aesop, laughing, "if you keep a bow always bent,
it will soon break, but if you sometimes let it go slack, it will be the fitter
for use when you want it:'
Just as a bow is more fit for use when it is rested from its usual
tension, so we as humans are better equipped to serve for Christ when we
take time to rest and build up our strength in Him.
Mary sat at Jesus' feet. She took a moment to rest with her Lord and
listen to Him speak. While Martha worried about the outward appearance
of her house when Christ came, Mary took time to sit at His feet.
Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the LORD: be ofgood courage, and he shall
strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." If we don't find our rest
in the Lord and set aside time to spend with Him, we will turn to other
outlets to find peace. People turn to the pleasures of this world to relieve
stress. But the only true place to find rest is in the Lord.
Where do you find your rest? We were not made to keep going
without any rest. God wants us to step away from the pressures of our
day and spend time alone with Him. Plan time to spend time with God
daily-let God strengthen and refresh you in His Word!
W hat would it take for you to be like a John Wesley, Amy Carmichael,
John Bunyan, or George Whitefield? What is it that separates the
heroic saint from the average Christian? These godly saints had one thing in
common-they committed themselves to grow in the Lord. They ignored
the pull of mediocrity and dedicated themselves to maturing spiritually.
You and I have the same potential to be used of God. The questions
to ask that differentiate the average from the stagnant are: "Are you
growing spiritually?" and "Are you doing something today to better
mature yourself in the Lord?" Carefully consider each question below;
examine your spiritual growth; and ask the Holy Spirit to convict you in
areas that need to be changed:
Am I faithful to spend time in God's Word and in prayer?
Do I smile and have a kind word for people, regardless of how I
feel physically?
Do I tell the truth?
Do I ask the Lord for wisdom, knowledge, patience, and longsuffering
to handle the problems and circumstances of each day?
Do I have anything (book, tool, money, etc.) in my possession that
does not rightly belong to me?
Do I get easily offended?
Is the reputation or character of another person safe in my hands?
Is jealousy in my own heart causing problems with other people?
Do I have secret sins that I make excuses for?
Don't let today be just another day. Before facing your daily routines,
determine to make today different! Examine your Christian life, mature
in your spiritual walk, and ask the Holy Spirit for strength to help you
change to be more like our Lord.
n old fable that has been passed down for generations tells about
A an elderly man who was traveling with a boy and a donkey. As they
walked through a village, the man was leading the donkey and the boy
was walking behind. The townspeople said the old man was a fool for
not riding, so to please them he climbed up on the animal's back. When
they came to the next village, the people said the old man was cruel to
let the child walk while he enjoyed the ride. So, to please them, he got off
and set the boy on the animal's back and continued on his way. In the
third village, people accused the child of being lazy for making the old
man walk, and the suggestion was made that they both ride. So the man
climbed on and they set off again. In the fourth village, the townspeople
were indignant at the cruelty to the donkey because he was made to carry
two people. The frustrated man was last seen carrying the donkey down
the road.
We may laugh, but this story makes a good point: We can't please
everybody, and if we try, we end up carrying a heavy burden. Striving to
please your boss, spouse, children, relatives, pastor, teacher, and friends
all at the same time does more than put you out of sorts; it derails you
from your main purpose-to please God first.
Pleasing God first is much easier said than done. Pleasing God may
consist ofless overtime and more soulwinning. It may consist ofless "self"
time but more family time. Sometimes pleasing God means stepping out
of your comfort zone. It may mean rearranging your priorities.
Examine your schedule and your priorities. Is pleasing God at the
top of your list? Or, have you been carrying too many donkeys lately?
52 EXODUS 21 22 * MATTI-lEW 19
January 30
T he great pioneer missionary Adoniram Judson was the first to take the
Gospel to the country of Burma. He buried his wife and several of his
children on the mission field, remarried, and then lost his second wife
to disease as well. He spent months in prison during Burma's war with
England when he was suspected of being a spy even though he was an
American. Judson labored for seven years before seeing his first convert.
Still, through all that difficulty, Judson remained committed to his
calling. He translated the Bible into Burmese and established a number of
churches. Even today, despite intense persecution over decades, there are
descendants of Judson's converts serving God in Burma. One of Judson's
favorite sayings was: "The future is as bright as the promises of God." To
Judson, the promises of God were living and powerful words that could
transform heartache to joy and years of labor into a joyous harvest.
We all have difficult times in our lives. What happens when you're
fired from work? Do you trust God's promise to provide? What about
when your health fails? Do you trust God's promise of protection? The
only way you will be able to make it through difficult times is if you rely
upon the promises of God.
When you have faith in God's promises, there is hope in even
the darkest of nights. Never doubt God's promises. From provision, to
protection, to a home in Heaven for those who trust in Him, our God has
promised us so much!
Are you going through a difficult circumstance today? Does there
seem to be no "light at the end of the tunnel"? Friend, if you are a child
of God, you can trust His promises! Search God's Word for His promises
today. Then apply them to your life and rely on God and His promises
when difficulties arise.
was once given a beautiful gift by a fellow pastor. It was a sword that
I is used by the Marines, and on the case surrounding the sword are the
words, "Earned. Never Given." I appreciated the gift and the significance
those words hold for the Marines serving our country. As I look at that
sword from time to time, I am reminded that salvation is just the opposite:
salvation is given-never earned.
There is nothing we can do to earn our way to Heaven. Even our
best efforts are stained with our self-righteousness. "But we are all as
an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all
do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away"
(Isaiah 64:6).
Christ already paid for your sin, and He offers salvation as a free gift.
He died out of love for you. His motivation for enduring the pain and the
shame of Calvary wasn't because Pilate sentenced Him to death. It wasn't
because Roman guards threatened Him. He went to the Cross willingly
because He loves you.
If you have received Christ as your Saviour, He has forgiven your
sin-He has paid for it all. Many Christians, however, live under the
weight of past failures and sin. Don't let the devil discourage you this
way. God has already paid for your sin. Put it behind you, and remember
God's promise in Psalm 103=12, "As far as the east is from the west, so far
hath he removed our transgressions from us."
H ave you ever come to a place in your Christian life where going
forward for God required a major step of faith? At such times, we
must choose to trust God and reap the rewards or remain where we are
and miss out on His blessings.
In 1893, engineer George Ferris built a machine that bears his
name-the Ferris wheel. Upon its completion, he invited a newspaper
reporter to accompany him and his wife for the inaugural ride. Despite
the wind on that July day, Ferris still chose to ride. The wheel turned
flawlessly. No one would have known the joys of riding this invention
had Ferris not had the faith to get on it. Even so, we cannot know the
blessings of God until we stretch our faith and trust Him.
The Israelites approached a turning point in their lives when God
commanded them to cross the Jordan River-at its flood stage. God chose
this method to bring them to the Promised Land because He wanted to
stretch their faith. He rewarded their faith with a miraculous parting of
the water.
We all have times when we must choose to obey by faith. It may be
in the area of finances, a life calling, or raising a family. We cannot stretch
our faith in God if we do not obey Him. When He asks us to take a step
of faith, we must obey His command. Many times we will not be able to
see how everything will work, but when we choose to obey, our faith will
be strengthened, and we will learn to trust Him more.
Is there a step of faith God wants you to take? Let God have control,
and step out in faith. Ask Him to give you strength and stretch your faith
in God by obeying Him today.
Faith Displayed
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.- ]AMES 2:17
He Sees
Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him ....
-}OHN6:5
here is one word in this verse that made all the difference in the world.
T It changed the situation Jesus was in, and it can change your situation
today. Notice the verb saw.
Jesus saw the multitudes. He had a lot of things going on at that
time, yet He saw the needs of those around Him. When Jesus Christ saw
the people, He saw their need. He felt their need.
Before you were born, God loved you and He knew your needs.
God cares about your needs twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week,
and all throughout the year. He never takes a vacation. He never breaks
for holidays. He is always there, and He always cares.
No one cares about you more than God. Even your parents, who
have cared for you and invested much time and money into you since the
day you were born, don't have as much love and compassion for you as
God has. Your parents may want what's best for you and may seek to help
you out when you need them, but God loves you so much more.
Whatever God allows into your life is for your benefit. What may
look like a mistake or an accident to you, never is with God. He is in
control of everything you go through. Yes, God allows suffering, but it's
not to hurt you; it is for your good and your benefit.
God loved you so much that He gave you the most precious thing
He had-His own Son. Rather than believing the devil's lies, look to
God's Word and claim the promise of Romans 8:28, "And we know that
all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to his purpose." Accept God's will, and trust that He is
working for your good. Know that He cares about you!
ear weakens, but faith strengthens. Fear imprisons, but faith liberates.
F Fear paralyzes, but faith empowers. Fear disheartens, but faith
encourages. Fear sickens, but faith heals. Fear is very active in the life of
someone who is not focused on the promises of God's Word.
Fear causes Christians to run when they should stand. It causes
Christians to leave their marriage when they should not. It causes
Christians to disobey God's prompting and not witness to others. Fear
causes Christians to hide when they should be doing the will of God.
Fear is like the man who returned to his vacation cabin from a
hike badly scratched and bruised. "What happened?" asked his wife. "I
met a snake on the trail;' the man answered. "Don't you remember?" the
woman responded. "The ranger told us yesterday that none of the snakes
up here are poisonous:' "They don't have to be poisonous if they can
make you jump off a twenty-foot diffl"
Sometimes, even when you know that God says not to fear, fear will
grip your heart when something bad comes into your life. There are a lot
of different challenges that each person faces each day, but God made
a universal statement when He said, "Fear not:' He knows the hurt you
have, yet He says, "Fear not:' He knows the uncertainties and confusion
you face, yet He says, "Fear not:' He knows the trials you face and the
problems you have, yet He says, "Fear not:'
Do you have fear about something in your life? Do you find yourself
worrying about the future or some unknown situation? God says not to
fear, no matter what comes your way, because He holds you in the palm
of His hand. Take that promise with you today and remember to trust
Him when you begin to fear.
God's Love in Us
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that
loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not
God; for God is love.- I ]OHN 4:7-8
God's Love to Us
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent
his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his
Son to be the propitiation for our sins.- I JoHN 4:9-10
t would have been enough for God to tell us He loved us, yet His death
I on Calvary showed that love to us. As someone once said, "You can give
without loving, but you cannot love without giving." John 3:16 reveals the
very heart of God when it says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave
his only begotten Son ...." That is what Christianity is all about. God loved
us so much that He gave.
A 36-year-old mother was discovered to be in the advanced stages
of terminal cancer. One doctor advised her to spend her remaining days
on vacation while a second physician offered her the hope of living two
to four more years with the grueling side effects of radiation.
She penned the following words to her three small children. "I've
chosen to try to survive for you. This has some horrible costs, including
pain, loss of good humor, and moods I won't be able to control, but I must
try this, if only on the outside chance that I might live one minute longer.
And that minute could be the one you might need me when no one else
will do. For this I intend to struggle tooth and nail, so help me God."
This woman endured painful treatments out oflove for her children.
Jesus gave so much more to offer us salvation. He proved His love when
He endured a grueling death on Calvary for us.
When we love others, we will give to them. Whether it's our time,
our money, or ourselves, we will put their needs above our own. What
have you done lately to manifest your love to others? Ask God to help you
show others your love for them today.
od's love for us does not depend on our love for Him; He loves us
G unconditionally. Our love for others should reflect the unconditional
love of God. Christ does not give us a list of requirements someone must
meet in order for us to love them. He does not command us to love only
those who love us. He tells us to love one another. This means everyone.
Romans 5:5 says, ''And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of
God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
Of our own power, we would not be able to consistently show God's love.
Yet through the empowering of His Holy Spirit, we can even show love to
those who mistreat us.
God wants us to let His love flow through our lives. While some
may not read of God's love in His Word or see His love on Calvary, they
may see it through us as believers.
The famous British preacher G. Campbell Morgan was once at
lunch with his wife and his five sons who were also preachers. A friend
asked them, "Who is the greatest preacher?" In unison the six men said,
"Our mother:' Mrs. Morgan's life affected others more than any sermon
her husband and sons had preached.
Because we are Christians, people will watch how we live and what
we let affect our lives. How would someone judge Christianity based on
your life? Are you letting Christ's love flow through you? Or will someone
never see the love of Christ because of your life? Ask Christ to give you
the strength to love those around you, and let His love flow through
you today.
o you remember the words of Jesus in John 14, when He said "I will
D come again"? I love to think about that wonderful promise. Jesus
Christ is coming again! Sometimes we call this the "blessed hope" of the
believer. No matter what your circumstance today, you have reason to
hope because of the coming of Jesus Christ.
Have you ever tried to imagine the day when Christ will return?
The Bible indicates that instantly all believers will be with the Lord in the
air. We will be with Him forever!
The next time the "outward look" of your life disappoints you, try
the "upward look"-it always helps me to have the right perspective
on life. During times of trial, or when considering how I might serve
the Lord or give to Him more effectively, the soon return of Christ is a
constant motivator in doing the will of God.
Having served in the ministry now for over two decades, our family
has become accustomed to entertaining pastors, missionaries, church
members, and friends in our home on a regular basis. While our home
is fairly organized, there are always those final touches that need to be
taken care of prior to entertaining company. It is not uncommon to tell
one of our children, "Straighten your room," "Take out the trash," or
"Vacuum the living room." We work to have our home ready for those
who are coming.
Is there something in your life today that needs to be cleaned or
better prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ? Let me encourage you
to praise Him for the promise of His coming and then prepare for the
reality of His coming.
Sanctification
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your
God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which
sanctify you.-LEVITICUS 20=7-8
anctification is not a word we use a lot today. It means being set apart
S to God and His purpose. It involves God's ownership of our lives and
His holiness in our lives. It entails conforming to His image and fulfilling
His will for our lives. Not many people desire for God to change their
lives and conform them to His image, but sanctification is a part of God's
purpose for our lives.
God's Word is vital in the sanctification process. John 17:17 says,
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." Do you apply God's
Word to your life? Do you take the truths and principles found in it and
live them out in your life each day? Sometimes we fall into the routine of
reading God's Word without searching it for truths to apply to our daily
lives. If we desire to be sanctified and set apart unto God, we must not
only read God's Word, but apply God's truths to our lives.
We are also sanctified through the Holy Spirit. First Corinthians 6:n
says, ''And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified,
but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our
God." As we go about our daily duties, we must ask the Holy Spirit for
help in conforming to Christ and becoming more like Him. We must ask
the Spirit every day to sanctify us.
Do you want to be more like Christ? Do you want Him to have
control of your life? He wants to change us and set us apart so that He can
use us. Give God full control of your life. Spend time in His Word, and
yield to the Holy Spirit's work of sanctification.
Just a Voice
He must increase, but I must decrease.-JOHN 3:30
Focusing on Others
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the
fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted
from the world.-]AMES 1:27
little boy asked his father, "Daddy, what is a Christian?" The father
A thought for a moment and then replied, "A Christian is a person who
loves and obeys God. He loves his friends, his neighbors, and even his
enemies. He is kind and gentle and prays a lot. He looks forward to going
to Heaven and thinks that knowing God is better than anything on this
earth. That, son, is a Christian!" The little boy took a couple of moments
to contemplate what his father had said, and then asked, "Daddy, have
you ever seen a Christian?"
Authentic Christians not only care about the things of God, but
they care about other people as well. We may not always know what
someone is going through, but as we seek to encourage others, God will
lead hurting people across our paths.
I once read of an elderly widow who was restricted in her activities
but was eager to serve Christ. After praying about this, she realized that
she could be a blessing to others by playing the piano. The next day she
placed this small ad in the Oakland Tribune: "Pianist will play hymns by
phone daily for those who are sick and despondent-the service is free:'
Within a few months her playing had brought cheer to several hundred
people. Many of them freely poured out their hearts to her, and she was
able to help encourage them.
We do not have to do something great to encourage other people. It
is often the little things that mean the most to people-the encouraging
note, the plate of cookies, or the email that tells them you're praying for
them. Are you focusing on others and seeking to care for and encourage
them? Ask God to help you focus on others, and purpose to encourage at
least one person today.
Made to Serve
And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into
the mount of God.- ExoDus 24:13
J oshua was the kind of man who delighted in serving. Moses went up
to Mount Sinai for forty days and nights, communing with God. And
Joshua, Moses' minister, waited at the base of the mountain for Moses.
In today's fast-paced, get-ahead society, not many people want to
be a minister or a helper. But Joshua found joy in serving others! Joshua
was exhibiting the attributes of Christ as shown in Mark 10:45, "For even
the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give
his life a ransom for many."
The measure of a man's greatness is not in how many people serve
him, but in how many people he serves. Joshua was a great man and
greatly used in Israel's history because he faithfully ministered to Moses,
God's servant.
God is looking today for men and women who will be servants-
people who will help a neighbor, pass out a Gospel tract, teach a Sunday
school class, sing in the choir, drive a Sunday school bus, or serve in some
capacity for the Lord. Joshua wasn't simply the average Israelite who
complained one day and praised God the next. He jumped into helping
and stayed by Moses' side, seeking to minister to him.
How are you serving the Lord? One of the greatest things you can
do for the Lord is give yourself in service of Him. You may not be able
to sing a solo, but you can help out in the nursery. You may not have the
ability to preach a great sermon, but you can teach a children's Sunday
school class. God does not look at the magnitude in which you serve, but
at the willingness of your heart.
Get involved in your church, and ask how you can serve more. Be
willing to volunteer when help is needed. Seek to serve the Lord any way
you can!
One-on-One Time
And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with
him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written
with the finger ofGod.-EXODUS 3I:I8
One-on-One Time
And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with
him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written
with the finger of God.-EXODUS 3I:I8
Made to Serve
And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into
the mount ofGod.-Exoous 24:13
oshua was the kind of man who delighted in serving. Moses went up
J to Mount Sinai for forty days and nights, communing with God. And
Joshua, Moses' minister, waited at the base of the mountain for Moses.
In today's fast-paced, get-ahead society, not many people want to
be a minister or a helper. But Joshua found joy in serving others! Joshua
was exhibiting the attributes of Christ as shown in Mark 10:45, "For even
the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give
his life a ransom for many."
The measure of a man's greatness is not in how many people serve
him, but in how many people he serves. Joshua was a great man and
greatly used in Israel's history because he faithfully ministered to Moses,
God's servant.
God is looking today for men and women who will be servants-
people who will help a neighbor, pass out a Gospel tract, teach a Sunday
school class, sing in the choir, drive a Sunday school bus, or serve in some
capacity for the Lord. Joshua wasn't simply the average Israelite who
complained one day and praised God the next. He jumped into helping
and stayed by Moses' side, seeking to minister to him.
How are you serving the Lord? One of the greatest things you can
do for the Lord is give yourself in service of Him. You may not be able
to sing a solo, but you can help out in the nursery. You may not have the
ability to preach a great sermon, but you can teach a children's Sunday
school class. God does not look at the magnitude in which you serve, but
at the willingness of your heart.
Get involved in your church, and ask how you can serve more. Be
willing to volunteer when help is needed. Seek to serve the Lord any way
you can!
Focusing on Others
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the
fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted
from the world.-JAMES 1:27
little boy asked his father, "Daddy, what is a Christian?" The father
A thought for a moment and then replied, "A Christian is a person who
loves and obeys God. He loves his friends, his neighbors, and even his
enemies. He is kind and gentle and prays a lot. He looks forward to going
to Heaven and thinks that knowing God is better than anything on this
earth. That, son, is a Christian!" The little boy took a couple of moments
to contemplate what his father had said, and then asked, "Daddy, have
you ever seen a Christian?"
Authentic Christians not only care about the things of God, but
they care about other people as well. We may not always know what
someone is going through, but as we seek to encourage others, God will
lead hurting people across our paths.
I once read of an elderly widow who was restricted in her activities
but was eager to serve Christ. After praying about this, she realized that
she could be a blessing to others by playing the piano. The next day she
placed this small ad in the Oakland Tribune: "Pianist will play hymns by
phone daily for those who are sick and despondent-the service is free."
Within a few months her playing had brought cheer to several hundred
people. Many of them freely poured out their hearts to her, and she was
able to help encourage them.
We do not have to do something great to encourage other people. It
is often the little things that mean the most to people-the encouraging
note, the plate of cookies, or the email that tells them you're praying for
them. Are you focusing on others and seeking to care for and encourage
them? Ask God to help you focus on others, and purpose to encourage at
least one person today.
Justa Voice
He must increase, but I must decrease.-]OHN 3:30
Sanctification
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LoRD your
God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LoRD which
sanctify you.- LEVITICUS 20:7-8
anctification is not a word we use a lot today. It means being set apart
S to God and His purpose. It involves God's owner:;hip of our lives and
His holiness in our lives. It entails conforming to His image and fulfilling
His will for our lives. Not many people desire for God to change their
lives and conform them to His image, but sanctification is a part of God's
purpose for our lives.
God's Word is vital in the sanctification process. John 17:17 says,
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." Do you apply God's
Word to your life? Do you take the truths and principles found in it and
live them out in your life each day? Sometimes we fall into the routine of
reading God's Word without searching it for truths to apply to our daily
lives. If we desire to be sanctified and set apart unto God, we must not
only read God's Word, but apply God's truths to our lives.
We are also sanctified through the Holy Spirit. First Corinthians 6:u
says, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified,
but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our
God." As we go about our daily duties, we must ask the Holy Spirit for
help in conforming to Christ and becoming more like Him. We must ask
the Spirit every day to sanctify us.
Do you want to be more like Christ? Do you want Him to have
control of your life? He wants to change us and set us apart so that He can
use us. Give God full control of your life. Spend time in His Word, and
yield to the Holy Spirit's work of sanctification.
o you remember the words of Jesus in John 14, when He said "I will
D come again"? I love to think about that wonderful promise. Jesus
Christ is coming again! Sometimes we call this the "blessed hope" of the
believer. No matter what your circumstance today, you have reason to
hope because of the coming of Jesus Christ.
Have you ever tried to imagine the day when Christ will return?
The Bible indicates that instantly all believers will be with the Lord in the
air. We will be with Him forever!
The next time the "outward look" of your life disappoints you, try
the "upward look"-it always helps me to have the right perspective
on life. During times of trial, or when considering how I might serve
the Lord or give to Him more effectively, the soon return of Christ is a
constant motivator in doing the will of God.
Having served in the ministry now for over two decades, our family
has become accustomed to entertaining pastors, missionaries, church
members, and friends in our home on a regular basis. While our home
is fairly organized, there are always those final touches that need to be
taken care of prior to entertaining company. It is not uncommon to tell
one of our children, "Straighten your room," "Take out the trash;' or
"Vacuum the living room." We work to have our home ready for those
who are coming.
Is there something in your life today that needs to be cleaned or
better prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ? Let me encourage you
to praise Him for the promise of His coming and then prepare for the
reality of His coming.
od's love for us does not depend on our love for Him; He loves us
G unconditionally. Our love for others should reflect the unconditional
love of God. Christ does not give us a list of requirements someone must
meet in order for us to love them. He does not command us to love only
those who love us. He tells us to love one another. This means everyone.
Romans 5:5 says, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of
God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
Of our own power, we would not be able to consistently show God's love.
Yet through the empowering of His Holy Spirit, we can even show love to
those who mistreat us.
God wants us to let His love flow through our lives. While some
may not read of God's love in His Word or see His love on Calvary, they
may see it through us as believers.
The famous British preacher G. Campbell Morgan was once at
lunch with his wife and his five sons who were also preachers. A friend
asked them, "Who is the greatest preacher?" In unison the six men said,
"Our mother." Mrs. Morgan's life affected others more than any sermon
her husband and sons had preached.
Because we are Christians, people will watch how we live and what
we let affect our lives. How would someone judge Christianity based on
your life? Are you letting Christ's love flow through you? Or will someone
never see the love of Christ because of your life? Ask Christ to give you
the strength to love those around you, and let His love flow through
you today.
God's Love to Us
In this was mamfested the love of God toward us, because that God sent
his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his
Son to be the propitiation for our sins.- I JOHN 4:9-IO
t would have been enough for God to tell us He loved us, yet His death
I on Calvary showed that love to us. As someone once said, "You can give
without loving, but you cannot love without giving." John 3:16 reveals the
very heart of God when it says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave
his only begotten Son ...." That is what Christianity is all about. God loved
us so much that He gave.
A 36-year-old mother was discovered to be in the advanced stages
of terminal cancer. One doctor advised her to spend her remaining days
on vacation while a second physician offered her the hope of living two
to four more years with the grueling side effects of radiation.
She penned the following words to her three small children. "I've
chosen to try to survive for you. This has some horrible costs, including
pain, loss of good humor, and moods I won't be able to control, but I must
try this, if only on the outside chance that I might live one minute longer.
And that minute could be the one you might need me when no one else
will do. For this I intend to struggle tooth and nail, so help me God:'
This woman endured painful treatments out oflove for her children.
Jesus gave so much more to offer us salvation. He proved His love when
He endured a grueling death on Calvary for us.
When we love others, we will give to them. Whether it's our time,
our money, or ourselves, we will put their needs above our own. What
have you done lately to manifest your love to others? Ask God to help you
show others your love for them today.
God's Love in Us
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that
loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not
God; for God is love.- I }OHN 4=7-8
ear weakens, but faith strengthens. Fear imprisons, but faith liberates.
F Fear paralyzes, but faith empowers. Fear disheartens, but faith
encourages. Fear sickens, but faith heals. Fear is very active in the life of
someone who is not focused on the promises of God's Word.
Fear causes Christians to run when they should stand. It causes
Christians to leave their marriage when they should not. It causes
Christians to disobey God's prompting and not witness to others. Fear
causes Christians to hide when they should be doing the will of God.
Fear is like the man who returned to his vacation cabin from a
hike badly scratched and bruised. "What happened?" asked his wife. "I
met a snake on the trail;' the man answered. "Don't you remember?" the
woman responded. "The ranger told us yesterday that none of the snakes
up here are poisonous." "They don't have to be poisonous if they can
make you jump off a twenty-foot cliff!"
Sometimes, even when you know that God says not to fear, fear will
grip your heart when something bad comes into your life. There are a lot
of different challenges that each person faces each day, but God made
a universal statement when He said, "Fear not." He knows the hurt you
have, yet He says, "Fear not." He knows the uncertainties and confusion
you face, yet He says, "Fear not." He knows the trials you face and the
problems you have, yet He says, "Fear not."
Do you have fear about something in your life? Do you find yourself
worrying about the future or some unknown situation? God says not to
fear, no matter what comes your way, because He holds you in the palm
of His hand. Take that promise with you today and remember to trust
Him when you begin to fear.
February 9
He Sees
jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him ....
-JOHN6:5
T here is one word in this verse that made all the difference in the world.
It changed the situation Jesus was in, and it can change your situation
today. Notice the verb saw.
Jesus saw the multitudes. He had a lot of things going on at that
time, yet He saw the needs of those around Him. When Jesus Christ saw
the people, He saw their need. He felt their need.
Before you were born, God loved you and He knew your needs.
God cares about your needs twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week,
and all throughout the year. He never takes a vacation. He never breaks
for holidays. He is always there, and He always cares.
No one cares about you more than God. Even your parents, who
have cared for you and invested much time and money into you since the
day you were born, don't have as much love and compassion for you as
God has. Your parents may want what's best for you and may seek to help
you out when you need them, but God loves you so much more.
Whatever God allows into your life is for your benefit. What may
look like a mistake or an accident to you, never is with God. He is in
control of everything you go through. Yes, God allows suffering, but it's
not to hurt you; it is for your good and your benefit.
God loved you so much that He gave you the most precious thing
He had-His own Son. Rather than believing the devil's lies, look to
God's Word and claim the promise of Romans 8:28, ''And we know that
all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to his purpose." Accept God's will, and trust that He is
working for your good. Know that He cares about you!
~')
February 3
Faith Displayed
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.-]AMES 2:17
ave you ever come to a place in your Christian life where going
H forward for God required a major step of faith? At such times, we
must choose to trust God and reap the rewards or remain where we are
and miss out on His blessings.
In 1893, engineer George Ferris built a machine that bears his
name-the Ferris wheel. Upon its completion, he invited a newspaper
reporter to accompany him and his wife for the inaugural ride. Despite
the wind on that July day, Ferris still chose to ride. The wheel turned
flawlessly. No one would have known the joys of riding this invention
had Ferris not had the faith to get on it. Even so, we cannot know the
blessings of God until we stretch our faith and trust Him.
The Israelites approached a turning point in their lives when God
commanded them to cross the Jordan River-at its flood stage. God chose
this method to bring them to the Promised Land because He wanted to
stretch their faith. He rewarded their faith with a miraculous parting of
the water.
We all have times when we must choose to obey by faith. It may be
in the area of finances, a life calling, or raising a family. We cannot stretch
our faith in God if we do not obey Him. When He asks us to take a step
of faith, we must obey His command. Many times we will not be able to
see how everything will work, but when we choose to obey, our faith will
be strengthened, and we will learn to trust Him more.
Is there a step of faith God wants you to take? Let God have control,
and step out in faith. Ask Him to give you strength and stretch your faith
in God by obeying Him today.
February l
was once given a beautiful gift by a fellow pastor. It was a sword that
I is used by the Marines, and on the case surrounding the sword are the
words, "Earned. Never Given." I appreciated the gift and the significance
those words hold for the Marines serving our country. As I look at that
sword from time to time, I am reminded that salvation is just the opposite:
salvation is given-never earned.
There is nothing we can do to earn our way to Heaven. Even our
best efforts are stained with our self-righteousness. "But we are all as
an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all
do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away"
(Isaiah 64:6).
Christ already paid for your sin, and He offers salvation as a free gift.
He died out oflove for you. His motivation for enduring the pain and the
shame of Calvary wasn't because Pilate sentenced Him to death.It wasn't
because Roman guards threatened Him. He went to the Cross willingly
because He loves you.
If you have received Christ as your Saviour, He has forgiven your
sin-He has paid for it all. Many Christians, however, live under the
weight of past failures and sin. Don't let the devil discourage you this
way. God has already paid for your sin. Put it behind you, and remember
God's promise in Psalm 103:12, '/is far as the east is from the west, so far
hath he removed our transgressions from us."
T he great pioneer missionary Adoniram Judson was the first to take the
Gospel to the country of Burma. He buried his wife and several of his
children on the mission field, remarried, and then lost his second wife
to disease as well. He spent months in prison during Burma's war with
England when he was suspected of being a spy even though he was an
American. Judson labored for seven years before seeing his first convert.
Still, through all that difficulty, Judson remained committed to his
calling. He translated the Bible into Burmese and established a number of
churches. Even today, despite intense persecution over decades, there are
descendants of Judson's converts serving God in Burma. One of Judson's
favorite sayings was: "The future is as bright as the promises of God." To
Judson, the promises of God were living and powerful words that could
transform heartache to joy and years of labor into a joyous harvest.
We all have difficult times in our lives. What happens when you're
fired from work? Do you trust God's promise to provide? What about
when your health fails? Do you trust God's promise of protection? The
only way you will be able to make it through difficult times is if you rely
upon the promises of God.
When you have faith in God's promises, there is hope in even
the darkest of nights. Never doubt God's promises. From provision, to
protection, to a home in Heaven for those who trust in Him, our God has
promised us so much!
Are you going through a difficult circumstance today? Does there
seem to be no "light at the end of the tunnel"? Friend, if you are a child
of God, you can trust His promises! Search God's Word for His promises
today. Then apply them to your life and rely on God and His promises
when difficulties arise.
A n old fable that has been passed down for generations tells about
an elderly man who was traveling with a boy and a donkey. As they
walked through a village, the man was leading the donkey and the boy
was walking behind. The townspeople said the old man was a fool for
not riding, so to please them he climbed up on the animal's back. When
they came to the next village, the people said the old man was crud to
let the child walk while he enjoyed the ride. So, to please them, he got off
and set the boy on the animal's back and continued on his way. In the
third village, people accused the child of being lazy for making the old
man walk, and the suggestion was made that they both ride. So the man
climbed on and they set off again. In the fourth village, the townspeople
were indignant at the cruelty to the donkey because he was made to carry
two people. The frustrated man was last seen carrying the donkey down
the road.
We may laugh, but this story makes a good point: We can't please
everybody, and if we try, we end up carrying a heavy burden. Striving to
please your boss, spouse, children, relatives, pastor, teacher, and friends
all at the same time does more than put you out of sorts; it derails you
from your main purpose-to please God first.
Pleasing God first is much easier said than done. Pleasing God may
consist ofless overtime and more soulwinning. It may consist ofless "sdf"
time but more family time. Sometimes pleasing God means stepping out
of your comfort zone. It may mean rearranging your priorities.
Examine your schedule and your priorities. Is pleasing God at the
top of your list? Or, have you been carrying too many donkeys latdy?
hat would it take for you to be like a John Wesley, Amy Carmichael,
W John Bunyan, or George Whitefield? What is it that separates the
heroic saint from the average Christian? These godly saints had one thing in
common-they committed themselves to grow in the Lord. They ignored
the pull of mediocrity and dedicated themselves to maturing spiritually.
You and I have the same potential to be used of God. The questions
to ask that differentiate the average from the stagnant are: "Are you
growing spiritually?" and "Are you doing something today to better
mature yourself in the Lord?" Carefully consider each question below;
examine your spiritual growth; and ask the Holy Spirit to convict you in
areas that need to be changed:
Am I faithful to spend time in God's Word and in prayer?
Do I smile and have a kind word for people, regardless of how I
feel physically?
Do I tell the truth?
Do I ask the Lord for wisdom, knowledge, patience, and longsuffering
to handle the problems and circumstances of each day?
Do I have anything (book, tool, money, etc.) in my possession that
does not rightly belong to me?
Do I get easily offended?
Is the reputation or character of another person safe in my hands?
Is jealousy in my own heart causing problems with other people?
Do I have secret sins that I make excuses for?
Don't let today be just another day. Before facing your daily routines,
determine to make today different! Examine your Christian life, mature
in your spiritual walk, and ask the Holy Spirit for strength to help you
change to be more like our Lord.
n Athenian one day found Aesop at play with a company of little boys
A at their childish diversions, and began to jeer and laugh at him for it.
Aesop quietly took a bow, unstrung, and laid it upon the ground. Then
calling the censorious Athenian said, "Now, expound the riddle, and tell,
if you can, what the unstrung bow implies." The man, after racking his
brains for awhile, at last gave it up, and declared he knew not what to
make of it. "Why," said Aesop, laughing, "if you keep a bow always bent,
it will soon break, but if you sometimes let it go slack, it will be the fitter
for use when you want it:'
Just as a bow is more fit for use when it is rested from its usual
tension, so we as humans are better equipped to serve for Christ when we
take time to rest and build up our strength in Him.
Mary sat at Jesus' feet. She took a moment to rest with her Lord and
listen to Him speak. While Martha worried about the outward appearance
of her house when Christ came, Mary took time to sit at His feet.
Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the LORD: be ofgood courage, and he shall
strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LoRD." If we don't find our rest
in the Lord and set aside time to spend with Him, we will turn to other
outlets to find peace. People turn to the pleasures of this world to relieve
stress. But the only true place to find rest is in the Lord.
Where do you find your rest? We were not made to keep going
without any rest. God wants us to step away from the pressures of our
day and spend time alone with Him. Plan time to spend time with God
daily-let God strengthen and refresh you in His Word!
Come unto Me
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light. -MATTHEW II:28-30
once heard a story of a pet store delivery truck that was experiencing
I difficulty. At every stoplight the driver would get out and hit the sides
of the truck with a wooden board. When someone finally asked him what
he was doing, the driver responded, "This is only a two- ton truck, and I
am carrying four tons of canaries, so I have got to keep two tons of them
in the air all the time."
This is a good picture of many of our lives! It may seem as if while
we are going down life's road, we have to keep stopping to make sure
everything is in order. But Christ wants us to commit our lives to Him.
When we commit our lives to Him, He will give us rest and relief from
our burdens. We do not have to worry about what will happen to us, but
we can entrust our lives to God's care.
Amy Carmichael was a missionary to South India for fifty-six years,
never returning home to Ireland for a furlough. An accident damaged
her leg and left her bedridden for the last twenty years of her life. It was
during those years in bed that she wrote most of her forty books. God
used her experience of suffering to bring encouragement to millions of
people. As Amy remained committed to Christ, He gave her rest and used
her to touch many lives.
A life of commitment to Christ includes living for God no matter
the burdens or trials we go through. Are you living a life of commitment
to our Lord? When trials or difficulties come into your life, bring
them to the Lord, and He will give you rest and bring blessing out of
your burdens.
One Requirement
And joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as
for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring
to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.-GENESIS 50:19-20
T hrough all the trials Joseph experienced, it could be said that he was
always faithful to God. Joseph's journey was a journey of faithfulness.
First Corinthians 4:2 says, "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man
be found faithful." God says, "I have one requirement of you. I want you to
be faithful." God has given His children many different talents but there
is only one thing He requires that all Christians can do-be faithful.
Joseph could have quit many times throughout his life. He could
have given up when his brothers laughed at him after he relayed his
dreams to them. He could have quit when his brothers sold him into
slavery. He could have quit after being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife,
or when he was wrongly imprisoned and forgotten by the butler after the
butler promised to help him. So many times Joseph could have given up
on God, yet he remained faithful.
Friend, there may be times in your life when discouragement comes.
You may see that others are being blessed or that others are being used
differently than you, but know one thing-God wants you to be faithful.
God has one requirement for your life.lt's not for you to sing in the
church choir, help in the nursery, or help out your neighbors (although
He is pleased when you do these things). God only requires you to
be faithful.
Are you being faithful to God today? Are you faithfully reading His
Word, serving Him, and telling others of His salvation? Do not let Satan
discourage you by showing you the lives of other Christians. God doesn't
want you to be like others; He simply wants you to be faithful to Him.
oliath was a nine-foot giant who shouted threats and cursed God's
G people on a daily basis. As Goliath cried out against God and
threatened the armies oflsrael, King Saul and his armies cowered and hid
from the Philistines. No one wanted to enter a seemingly one-sided fight
with the giant. But when everyone else hid from the challenge, David
realized that this battle was not only a battle between the Philistines and
the children of Israel, but it was a battle of the God of Israel and the gods
of the Philistines.
David was concerned that the enemies of God would speak out
against his God. It angered him with a holy anger that others would mock
the one he loved. Rather than looking at the size of Goliath, David looked
at the size of his God and realized that with God all things are possible.
We need Christians like David today. When others mock Christianity
or the Lord, we need people who will boldly take a stand and determine
to move forward in faith with the cause to further the Gospel.
Attacks on God and His people are nothing new. The devil has
targeted Christians ever since the days of Christ, but the threats of others
should not stop us from telling people about Christ. People may ridicule,
demean, or even threaten you, but Christ has commanded us to stand,
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13).
Have you ever been discouraged by all the attacks against God
and His people? Friend, the only reason Christianity is being attacked
is because the devil knows how powerful Spirit-filled Christians are!
Determine today that no matter what may come your way, you will stand
up for Christ and follow Him.
January 2J
od's selection of David to be the next king was not based on David's
G outward attributes or talents but on his heart. What a wonderful
moment in David's life! He was being chosen to rule the nation of Israel.
It is also a wonderful moment when God uses us as His children. We are
blessed to be a part of the plan of God!
Robert Murray McCheyne wrote this to a friend just after that
friend had been ordained: "In great measure, according to the purity and
perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents
God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful
[profound] weapon in the hand of God."
It did not matter how David played the harp, handled the flocks,
or shot an arrow. All David's physical talents were secondary to his heart
for God. He thought about God, sang to God, and read the Word of God.
Because he desired to please God with his life, God chose him to be the
next king of Israel.
God is not looking for someone who can sing the best solo, preach
the best sermon, or outperform others. All the talent in this world means
nothing if you are not following God and seeking to know Him more.
God desires a heart that is wholly committed to Him.
Do you ever feel inadequate, as if God cannot use you? Don't look
at your outward abilities to evaluate whether or not God can use you.
God uses those who have a heart for Him. Get involved at church and
start serving God in whatever way you can! God will use you if you have
a heart for Him.
David or Saul?
And the LoRD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul,
seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with
oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided
me a king among his sons.-I SAMUEL 16:1
o king in Israel's history was more loved and more mentioned than
N David. David, a man after God's own heart, was used by God to
bring the nation of Israel out of obscurity and into great power during
that time in history. David was called to be a king of Israel at a young age
while he was tending to his father's sheep.
Saul, the current king when David was anointed, had once been
sensitive toward the things of God. Yet as time went on, he fell out of
fellowship with God. God was saddened because of the wicked life Saul
and His people had chosen to live. It was because of Saul's rebellion that
God sought for another king.
God chose David to be the next king because he had a passion to
know and serve God. He didn't sit by and watch others serve the Lord. He
volunteered to help in any area needed. He gave God his heart, and he
served Him out of love.
Today, God is still looking for men and women who will give Him
their whole hearts. Too many Christians have the mentality of Saul.
They've become complacent in their Christianity. They take things for
granted like souls saved, people baptized, and lives transformed. They go
through the routine of Christianity without truly serving God with their
whole hearts.
Who are you more like-David or Saul? Do you willingly pitch in
and help around church? Or do you let others serve? Are you passionately
seeking to serve God with your whole heart? Or would you rather follow
after the pleasures of this world? Determine to serve God through a
surrendered heart. When God has your heart, there is no limit to what
He can do through you.
January 19
Replacing Bitterness
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one
another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against
any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things
put on charity, which is the bond ofperfectness. And let the peace of God
rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye
thankful.-COLOSSIANS 3:12-15
A Bitter Spirit
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of
bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
-HEBREWS 12:15
was once walking down a sidewalk that was badly cracked from the
I roots of a nearbymulberrytree. While I was careful of my step, I noticed
those passing by me who were not as careful. They would stumble or trip
over the roots. Even so, if we are not careful to "watch our step" in life, we
can be tripped by the roots of bitterness.
Many Christians struggle with bitterness and an unforgiving spirit.
Satan constantly uses past experiences to defeat God's people in the area
of bitterness. Yet when we harbor bitterness, we are hurting ourselves
the most.
The devil would like us to be focused on other things and not see
the roots of bitterness in our lives. The writer of Hebrews warns that if
we are not careful to examine our lives and see if there is any bitterness,
those feelings will hinder us from being used by God.
Friend, while the world around us tells us to seek revenge and
demand justice, God calls us to forgive and to let go of bitterness. We
must not underestimate the power that anger and bitterness can have on
our lives. They can take us away from God and out of His will.
Is there any bitterness in your life today? Is there someone in your
life who brings thoughts of anger or hurt feelings to your mind when
you hear their name? God desires that we would have hearts void of any
ill feelings toward others. Spend time in prayer now and ask Christ to
forgive you for those bitter feelings. Also, ask Him to help you forgive
those who wronged you and help you avoid bitterness in your life today.
·11
January 17
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to
me I will in no wise cast out.-]OHN 6:37
e all battle with the same hidden habit. It is hidden because it exists
W in our thoughts. It constantly drains the energy God gives us to
face daily problems and to fulfill our many responsibilities.
Eliminating this habit would give us more energy to serve God,
more focus to accomplish His work, and more faith to entrust God.
The habit is worry, and it takes root when the cares of this world take
precedence over the promises of Christ.
When Jimmy Stewart enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World
War II, his father, Alex Stewart, chose to trust his son to God. He sent a
farewell letter with Jimmy to encourage his son to trust God as well.
My dear Jim boy. Soon after you read this letter, you will be
on your way to the worst sort of danger. Jim, I'm banking on the
enclosed copy of the 91st Psalm. The thing that takes the place
of fear and worry is the promise of these words. I am staking my
faith in these words. I feel sure that God will lead you through
this mad experience. I can say no more. I only continue to pray.
Goodbye, my dear. God bless you and keep you. I love you more
than I can tell you. Dad.
Jimmy Stewart later stated that he learned to trust the words of
Psalm 91 during the height of battle. He returned home unharmed and a
decorated hero. Stewart carried the letter with him for the rest of his life,
and the words from the Psalm that his father gave him are written on his
grave marker: "For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in
all thy ways."
What are you worrying about today? Find the victory over worry
through trust in God's promises.
January 15
Used by God
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable, and perfect, will ofGod.-ROMANS 12:1-2
Blessed to Be a Blessing
And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears,
and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and
fcishioned it with a graving tool .. .. -Exonus 32:3-4
Defining Love
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:
and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.-! ]OHN 3:16
O ne author wrote, "Do not waste your time bothering whether you
love' your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find
one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone,
you will presently come to love him:'
Our culture has redefined the word love. While the world around us
tells us love is an emotion, God shows tis that love is a choice. It is choosing
to love someone and showing them our love through our actions.
The Bible uses several different Greek root words for our English
word love. One word the Bible uses is philos, which refers to a brotherly
love. It is the word used to show the love between friends. Also, the Bible
uses the word agape. This word carries a stronger meaning and is used in
reference to a high level of divine love.
Agape love does not love simply when it is convenient or when we
feel like it, but because it is what God has commanded. There will be
times in our lives when we do not feel like loving someone, but that is
when agape love must take over. We must look to Christ for strength and
display our love to others.
Christ showed us His agape love by dying on the Cross. He did not
die for us simply because He had an emotion of love, but because He
made a choice to honor and obey His Father. God loved us so much that
He gave!
How are you showing your love to those around you? Love is not
merely an emotion; it is an action. We show others the love of Christ by
what we do, not by what we feel. Ask God to help you love others today
even if you do not feel like it.
He Is Coming Again1
john bare witness of/lim, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake,
He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
-]OHN I:I5
ome into the life of John the Baptist with me through the Scriptures,
C and see this man who says of Christ, "Behold the Lamb of God."
What was John the Baptist's specific ministry? He was to identify the
Saviour. John the Baptist identified for those who gathered around him
who Jesus really was, that He was the eternal, preexistent Son of God,
come to deliver them from their sins.
You have been given the same mission today. Jesus Christ is coming
again very quickly, and, as a Christian, you are to be that voice crying
out in the wilderness, preparing men and women for His return. As in
John's day, the world today is lost and searching for answers but does not
know where to turn. You are to be the light, pointing them to a returning
Saviour and a risen Lord.
John the Baptist didn't focus on himself; he pointed people to
Christ, the eternal God. While many teachers of the day were looking to
push their own agenda or display their own ideas, John the Baptist's only
mission was to foretell the coming of Christ.
Many today fall prey to wrong teachings or other beliefs because
they do not know the significance of who Jesus truly is. He is the eternal
Son of God who died on Calvary for the sins of the world and rose from
the grave three days later.
Have you been faithfully proclaiming to those around you that Jesus
is coming again? The world will look to religion, science, and other things
for answers, but like John the Baptist, you are to be God's forerunner,
telling them of His soon return. Ask God for boldness and clarity of
thought in telling others of His coming. Rely on His strength to faithfully
be the forerunner of His coming as you go about your day today.
A crowd of people gathered to hear from the One who healed the sick
and had compassion on the sinner. Jesus began to minister to the
crowd by comforting them and healing their illnesses. They were in a
desert place, and the evening time quickly came upon them. No villages
were close enough to prepare food for the large crowd. Seeing this need,
Jesus gave thanks and used a boy's lunch to feed thousands (John 6:11).
Because Lazarus was such a close friend to Jesus and a dear brother
to Mary and Martha, when he died, they all deeply mourned his death.
Four days after he passed away, Jesus stood before the cave which held
his body and gave thanks to His Father for hearing His prayer. He then
commanded Lazarus to come forth. Miraculously, Lazarus rose from his
grave (John 11:41).
Sitting around a table, Jesus was surrounded by His disciples. In
just a short time, He would be nailed to the Cross and separated from His
Father. Knowing such suffering was about to take place, He stood before
those whom He loved and ministered, and He praised God by giving
thanks (1 Corinthians 11:24).
When Jesus gave thanks, great things followed-the feeding of
five thousand, the renewed life of a friend, and eternal salvation. Are
you willing to give thanks before a time of testing or when you need a
miracle? Someone once said, "Giving thanks is not a small prayer you
chant before receiving a meal; it is the way you live:' Today, may we "Enter
into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful
unto him, and bless his name. For the LoRD is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations" (Psalm 100:4-5).
heard the story of a man who visited Portugal some years ago on an
I evangelistic tour. He was delighted to find many believers who were
"spiritual giants:' Among them was a missionary named Eric Barker, who
had spent over fifty years in Portugal preaching the Gospel.
During World War II, Barker was advised to send his wife and
eight children to England for safety. His sister and her three children
were also evacuated on the same ship. He remained behind to carry on
God's work. On the Sunday following their departure, he stood before
his congregation and said, "''ve just received word that all my family have
arrived safely home!" Later in the service, the full meaning of his words
became known to his people.
Just before the meeting, he learned that a submarine had torpedoed
the ship that was carrying his family. Everyone on board had drowned, but
he knew that because all were believers, they had reached a more "desired
haven" (Psalm 107:30). They were truly home. Although overwhelmed
with grief, the knowledge that his family was enjoying the bliss of Heaven
comforted his heart.
Don't let the word Heaven become so commonplace to you that
you do not realize the magnificence of it! Not only is it a beautiful place
with streets of gold, but God Himself is there! We, as Christians, will be
with Him for all eternity!
Take time today to thank God for preparing a home for you. Thank
Him for creating such a beautiful place for us to spend eternity with Him!
Also, remember that not everyone has the hope of a home in Heaven.
Let someone know today that God loves them and is preparing a home
for them!
January 9
t was the day of the wedding, and besides the normal marriage
I excitement, an extra buzz was around the room about a certain group
of guests. Jesus was attending this wedding. But notice that He wasn't
simply passing by, He was invited to the wedding.
The Lord should be invited to every wedding. He should be the
welcomed guest of every activity in your life. Every trip to the store, day
at work, family vacation, and time with friends should be accompanied
by God's presence.
Many times Christians don't invite Christ into their day because it
would mean neglecting certain activities or changing certain habits. What
in your life today would have to be different if you were to invite God to
accompany you? What is holding you back from inviting God to take part
in every activity of your day?
God doesn't want merely to be a bystander; He wants to be the
invited guest of your day. He is with you already, but He desires for you to
include Him in every decision you make, every activity you take part in,
and every thought you think.
I once read that some people regard God just as an airman regards
his parachute; it's there for emergencies, but he hopes he'll never have to
use it. Only when God is invited in your everyday life will the miraculous
take place. Had our Lord not been invited to this wedding, He would not
have been there to help them when they needed Him.
Invite God with you every step of the way. Don't wait for the car
crash or the pink slip; ask God to walk with you today. Start each day
by saying, "Lord, I want You to go before me today. I want to walk in
fellowship with You in this very hour. You are invited to be part of all I
think and do."
January 7
Do It Immediately
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest,
and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt
offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of And Abraham
rose up early in the morning.. .. -GENESIS 22:2-3
He Cares
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.-I PETER 5:7
His Creation
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.
And the evening and the morning were the sixth day-GENESIS 1:31
Continuing in Prayer
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne ofgrace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.-HEBREWS 4:16
Continuing in Fellowship
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking
bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and
singleness ofheart,-ACTS 2:46
anuary 1, 1989, was a Sunday, and it was the day the Migliore family
J decided to start the new year right by coming to Lancaster Baptist
Church. Three weeks later, Dan, Pennie, and two of their children walked
the aisle to receive Christ as their Saviour. Their other daughter was saved
a few weeks later. For the Migliore family, this new year was the beginning
of a brand new life!
The new year gives us all opportunities for new beginnings-
especially in relation to faithful Bible reading. If we are to maintain a
faithful walk with Christ, we must develop a passion for His Word. How
is this done?
First, refuse to miss a day. You may get busy or have other things
suddenly come into your day, but refuse to go a day without spending
time in God's Word. When you do miss your time with God, don't become
discouraged and give up. Put that day behind you and spend a little extra
time with God the next day. If you desire to have a passion for the Word of
God, make sure you consistently spend time with God.
Second, pray for understanding. David prayed, "Open thou mine
eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the
earth: hide not thy commandments from me" (Psalm 119:18-19). Even the
most knowledgeable Bible scholars cannot understand the Bible unless
God opens their eyes.
Third, look for practical applications of what you read. Ask the Lord
to help you understand how to apply His Word to your life.
Do you want a passion for God's Word? Do you want to grow closer
to Christ as a result of your time with Him? Seek to maintain a faithful
walk with God and ask Christ for understanding each time you approach
His Word. As you develop a passion for His Word, His Word will be able
to impact your life.
90-Day Bible
Reading Schedule
22
July August September
.J 1 Job20-21 Acts 10:24--48 .J 1 Ps. 57-59 Rom. 4 ~ 1 Ps.l35-l36 lCor.l2
:_] Job 22-24 Acts II .J Ps. 60-62 Rom. 5 ':J Ps.l37-i39 I Cor.l3
.J Job 25-27 Acts 12 ..J Ps. 63--65 Rom. 6 ..J Ps.\40-142 I Cor. 14:1-20
..J 4 job 28-29 Acts 13:1-25 ~ 4 Ps. 66-67 Rom. 7 .J Ps.143-145 I Cor.\4:21--40
~J Job 30-31 Acts 13:26--52 '.J 5 Ps. 68-69 Rom. 8:1-21 .J Ps.l46----147 I Cor. 15:1-28
..J Job 32-33 Acts 14 .J 6 Ps. 70-71 Rom. 8:22-39 .J Ps. 148-150 1 Cor. 15:29-58
.J fob34-35 Act~ 15:!-21 ..J 7 P~. 72-73 Rom. 9:1-15 ·._] Prov. 1-2 1 Cor.l6
-..J 8 Job .36-37 Acts 15:22-41 .J 8 P~. 74-76 Rom. 9:16-33 .J Prov.3-5 lCor.l
..J 9 job 38--40 Acts 16:1-21 .J 9 Ps. 77-78 Rom. 10 .J 9 Prov. 6-7 2 Cor.2
·.J 10 Job41--42 Acts 16:22--40 _j 10 Ps. 79-80 Rom. 11:1-18 .J 10 Prov.S-9 2Cor.3
.J 11 Ps. 1-.3 Acts 17:1-15 ._] 11 Ps. 81-83 Rom. 11:!9-36 '.J 11 Prov. 10-12 2Cor.4
.J 12 Ps.4--6 Acts 17:16-34 ..J 12 Ps.84-86 Rom.l2 ._] 12 Prov. !".3--15 2Cor. 5
._l 13 P~. 7-9 Acts 18 _j 13 Ps. 87-88 Rom. 13 LJ 13 Prov.16----18 2Cor.6
..J 14 P~. Hl--12 Acts !9:1-20 ...J 14 Ps. 89-90 Rom. 14 ..J 14 Prov. 19-21 2Cor.7
.J 15 Ps. 13-15 Acts 19:21--41 _j 15 Ps. 91-93 Rom. 15:1-13 .J 15 Prov.22-24 2Cor.8
.J 16 Ps. ]6--17 Acts 20:1-16 _j 16 Ps. 94-96 Rom. J5:14-3J ..J 16 Prov. 25-26 2Cor.9
...J 17 Ps. 18-19 Acb20:17-38 .J 17 Ps. 97-99 Rom. 16 .J 17 Prov. 27-29 2Cor.IO
..J 18 Ps. 20-22 Acts2L:l-17 ....1 18 Ps. 100-102 I Cor. 1 .J 18 Prov. 30-31 2Cor.II:l-15
..J 19 Ps.2}-25 Acts21:18--40 _] 19 Ps. 103-104 I Cor. 2 :_] 19 Eccl. 1-3 2Cor.ll:l6----33
..J 20 Ps. 26--28 Acts22 J 20 Ps. 105--106 1 Cor. 3 _j 20 Ecc\.4--6 2Cor. 12
..J 21 Ps.29-30 Acts23:1-15 ....1 21 Ps. 107-109 1 Cor. 4 .J 21 Eccl. 7-9 2Cor.l3
..J 22 Ps.JI-32 Acts23:16-.35 .J 22 Ps.\10-\12 1 Cor.5 :.J 22 Eccl. 10-12 Gal.\
_J 23 Ps. 33-34 Acts24 J 23 Ps. 113-115 1 Cor. 6 ..J 23 Song 1-3 Gal.2
.J 24 Ps. 35-36 Acts25 .J 24 P~.\16----118 !Cor.7:1-i9 ..J 24 Song4-5 Gal.3
_j 25 Ps. 37-.'19 Acts 26 .J 25 Ps.\19:1-88 1 Cor.7:20--40 ._] 25 Song().-..8 Gal.4
.J 26 Ps.40--42 Acts27:1-26 ..J 26 Ps. 119:89-176 I Cor.8 .J 26 !sa. 1-2 GaLS
.J 27 P~. 43-45 Acts27:27--44 _J 27 Ps. 120-122 I Cor. 9 .J 27 Isa. 3--4 Gal.6
.J 28 Ps. 46--48 Acts28 J 28 Ps.l23-125 I Cor. 10:1-18 ..J 28 lsa. S--6 Eph.l
..J 29 Ps. 49-50 Rom.\ _j 29 Ps. 126----128 I Cor. 10:19-33 ..J 29 !sa. 7-8 Eph.2
.J 30 Ps.Sl-53 Rom.2 .J 30 P~.\29-131 \Cor.\i:J-16 .J 30 Isa.9-IO Eph.3
....! 31 P~. 54-56 Rom.3 _j 31 P~. 1.32-134 I Cor. 11:17-34
~ 19 2 Sam. 6-B Luke 15:1-10 ..J 19 I Chr. 7~9 John 6:22-44 :.J 19 Neh.I2-13 Acts4:23-37
l.] 20 2Sam.9-11 Luke 15:11--32 U 20 I Chr. 10--12 John 6:45-71 U 20 Esther l--2 ActsS:l-21
:.J 21 2Sam.12-l3 Luke 16 :...J 21 I Chr.l3~15 John 7:I-27 ..J 21 Esther 3--5 Acts5:22--42
:.J 22 2 Sam. 14-15 Luke 17:1--19 U 22 I Chr. 16--18 John 7:28-53 :.J 22 Esther 6--8 Acts6
U 23 2 Sam. 16--18 W.ke 17:20--37 :.J 23 1Chr.19-2I John 8:1--27 U 23 Esther 9-10 Acts7:1-2I
U 24 2 Sam. 19--20 Luke 18:1--23 ::J 24 1 Chr. 22~24 John 8:28~59 :.J 24 Job I-2 Acts7:22--43
r.J 25 2 Sam. 21-22 Luke 18:24-43 i.J 25 l Chr. 25--27 John9:1-23 U 25 Job 3-4 Acts 7:44--60
U 26 2 Sam. 23--24 Luke 19:1~27 i...J 26 I Chr. 28--29 John 9:24-41 :..J 26 Job 5--7 Acts8:1-25
:.J 27 1 Kings l--2 Luke 19:28--48 .:J 27 2 Chr. 1--3 John 10:1--23 :.J 27 Job 8--IO Acts8:26-40
U 28 I Kings 3--5 Luke 20:1--26 r.:.J 28 2Chr.4--6 John I0:24-42 ...1 28 Job II--13 Acts9:1-21
:...J 29 I Kings 6-7 Luke 20:27-47 t..l 29 2 Chr. 7--9 John Jl:l--29 :.J 29 Job 14--16 Acts9:22-43
.:J 30 I Kings 8-9 Luke 21:1-I9 ..J 30 2 Chr. 10--12 John ll:30-S7 i.J 30 lob I7-19 Acts 10:1--23
..J 31 2 Chr. 13--14 John !2:1--26
20
The Effective Christian's Daily
Bible Reading
Christians used by God have one thing in common: a daily walk with
God. A Christian's daily walk is based upon the foundation of Bible
reading and prayer. It has often been said, "The Book will keep you from
sin, or sin will keep you from the Book:'
Printed at the bottom of the page for each day is a segmented reading
calendar that will allow you to read through the Old and New Testaments
during the course of a year.
When considering whether or not to spend time in the Word of God,
it is advisable to listen to the words of David, a man after God's own
heart, who under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote:
Psalm 119:105
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Psalmn9:9
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto
according to thy word."
May God's Word draw you closer to Him, and help you be the
Christian He saved you to be.
1'-!
;\ Daily Wurd
lR
Verses Remembered by
Effective Christians
When you lose sight of His greatness:
Jeremiah 32:17, Jeremiah 33:3, Psalm 147:5, Romans 11:33-36, and
1 Chronicles 29:11-14
6. Ask the sinner, "Is there anything that would hinder you from
trusting Christ right now, today, as your Saviour?"
This question will show the soulwinner if there are still any
"obstacles" that must be removed before a sinner trusts Christ. It
will also serve as a good transition into drawing the Gospel net.
After a sinner is saved, the Great Commission is still unfulfilled.
We are commanded to go, to win, to baptize, and to teach
(disciple). An effective soulwinner will determine to see each
aspect of the Great Commission come to fruition with those he
leads to Christ.
16
How to Lead a Person
to Christ
Someone once said: "The fruit of a Christian is another Christian." There
is a lot of truth in that statement. The Christian leader will influence
people to be more soul-conscious. Yet, sometimes a person will be
very active in sharing the Gospel, but will not see much fruit. It is the
responsibility of the Christian leader to "Train Every Available Member"
to not only be available, but effective. Here are some truths that every
soulwinner must remember as he prepares to help another soul spend an
eternity with Christ.
1. A soulwinner should start with the truth of God's love for every
individual.
John 3:16 is perhaps the most familiar verse in all the New
Testament. "For God so loved the world ...." There are sinners living
today who actually believe that God hates them and wants them to
go to Hell because of their sin. A sinner will never accept a Saviour
who he believes will never love him.
3. A soulwinner must teach the sinner that his sin carries with it an
expensive price tag.
According to Romans 6:23, "the wages of sin is death ...." In Ezekiel
18:20, the Israelites learned that the soul that sinned would die. As
a soulwinner, the person you are dealing with has the wrath of
God already abiding on him (John 3:36).
Hebrews 1:5-6-For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art
my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father,
and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten
into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
1Thessalonians 4:16-For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with
a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the
dead in Christ shall rise first:
End Times
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18-But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which
have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them
also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by
the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of
the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with
the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are
alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet
the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort
one another with these words.
John 14:1-3-Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in
me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye
maybe also.
Acts 1:10-n-And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up,
behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of
Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken
up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go
into heaven.
14
\ l \.~1\\ \\,,r,:
Acts 2:46-47-And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple,
and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness
and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people.
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
1 Corinthians 12:13-For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,
whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been
all made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Timothy 3:15-But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou
oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the
living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Angels
Genesis 3:24-So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the
garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to
keep the way of the tree of life.
Psalm 14ll:2, 5-Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
Let them praise the name of the LoRD: for he commanded, and they were
created.
Isaiah 6:1-3-In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting
upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it
stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face,
and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried
unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LoRD of hosts: the whole earth
is full of his glory.
Mark 13:32-But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the
angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
A Daily \Vord
1 John 3:4- Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is
the transgression of the law.
Jeremiah 17:9- The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked: who can know it?
Salvation
Isaiah 45:22-Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I
am God, and there is none else.
John 14:6-Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Acts 4:12-Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other
name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Romans 10:9-10- That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with
the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9-For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:5-Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according
to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Ghost;
Church
Matthew 16:18-And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this
rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Colossians 1:18-And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the
preeminence.
\2
creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own
image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he
them.
Job 14:1, 14-Man that is born of a woman is offew days, and full of trouble.
If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I
wait, till my change come.
Psalm 8:4-5-What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of
man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the
angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Isaiah 64:6-But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses
are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the
wind, have taken us away.
Romans 3:10-u-As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Romans 3:23-For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Sin
Numbers 32:23-But ifye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the
LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
Ezekiel18:2o--The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the
iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the
righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the
wicked shall be upon him.
Romans 6:23-For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal
life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
James 1:15- Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin,
when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
1 John 1:8-10-If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the
truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have
not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
II
A Dailv Word
1 Timothy 2:5-6-For there is one God, and one mediator between God and
men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified
in due time.
Hebrews 1:8-But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, 0 God, is for ever and
ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Luke 19:10--The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Holy Spirit
John 14:16-And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:26-But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father
will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to
your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 15:26-But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you
from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father,
he shall testify of me:
John 16:13-14-Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide
you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall
hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall
glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
1Corinthians 3:16-Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the
Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
Ephesians 4:3o-And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are
sealed unto the day of redemption.
Ephesians 5:18-And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled
with the Spirit;
Mankind
Genesis 1:26-27-And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the
fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every
lll
Isaiah 57=15-For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity,
whose name is holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that
is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to
revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Deuteronomy 32:4-He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are
judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Psalm 138:2-I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for
thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above
all thy name.
John 4:24-God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in
spirit and in truth.
Psalm 90:2-Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst
formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou
art God.
Jesus Christ
John 1:1, 14-In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Philippians 2:6-8- Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery
to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon
him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being
found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross.
Colossians 1:16-17-For by him were all things created, that are in heaven,
and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and
for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
y
i\ I )aily \Vunl
On the following pages you will find many major Bible doctrines and key
verses to memorize. It is time to put into practice these six principles.
The Bible
Psalm 119:160- Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy
righteous judgments endureth for ever.
Isaiah 40:8- The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our
God shall stand for ever.
Hebrews 4:12-For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper
than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and
spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart.
God
Psalm m:9-He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his
covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
\ l·; ;:!\ . :,·
2. Organize by topic.
Many people attempt to learn the "Golden Chapters" or whole books
of the Bible. While this is a noble attempt, it is not the way the Word
of God will be used while teaching or preaching. Choose a topic you
would like to study and then memorize every verse that deals with it.
The next time you are speaking on that particular subject, your mind
will be able to tie these verses together to truly allow you to ''preach the
Word ... "
Dear Friend,
Don't you love a good meal? There's nothing like coming home to a
delicious, piping hot dinner my wife has made! I look forward to it all
day long, and I never want to miss it.
I wonder if we have the same hunger for spiritual food as we do
for physical food. You see, God's Word is to our souls what food is to our
bodies-it nourishes and strengthens us. The patriarch Job had a wise
perspective when he said, "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more
than my necessary food" (Job 23:12B).
Jesus, too, likened God's Word to food: ''And Jesus answered him,
saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word ofGod" (Luke 4:4). Just as we daily nourish our bodies, we must daily
nourish our souls by spending time with the Lord reading His Word.
A Daily Word has been designed especially to compliment (like
an appetizer or desert) your personal time with God. Each of the 366
devotions are based on Scriptures that will encourage, challenge, and
strengthen you in your walk with the Lord.
It is my prayer that each devotion in A Daily Word will help you
in your spiritual growth and encourage you to draw closer to the Lord
everyday.
Sincerely in Christ,
Paul Chappell
4
Table of Contents
A Word from the Author . . . . . . . . . . 4
Daily Devotions . 23
Bibliography . . .420
About the Author. .424
Copyright © 2009, 2012, 2015 by Striving Together Publications. All
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version.
ISBN 978-1-59894-076-3
366
Scriptural Devotions
for Growing Christians
PAUL CHAPPELL
February 24
L. Moody once said, "I prayed for faith and it did not come, but
D when I read the Word of God, then faith came." Faith isn't the power
of positive thinking. It isn't visualization or any man-centered philosophy.
Faith is listening to what God says and acting upon it. It is the realization
that you can do nothing on your own but anything through God.
God was going to use Gideon to lead an army against the Midianites
to drive them from the land. But before he was ready to do all that God
had in store, Gideon had to learn faith.
In response to God's promise to deliver Israel from the Midianites,
Gideon had gathered all the men he could and had prepared them the
best he knew how. He brought together 32,ooo troops, approximately
one-sixth of the troops of the Midianites. Even though Israel was already
far outnumbered, God screened those soldiers and whittled the troops
down to three hundred men.
During this time, God developed the faith of Gideon. He showed
Gideon that it wasn't through anything he could do, but that he had to
place his faith solely in God. Gideon could have let fear control him, and
he could have run from God. That's what Jonah did. Instead, Gideon said,
"I don't know what you're doing, God, and I admit that I'm afraid, but I
trust You. I'm not depending on the strength or talent of my men, but
on You alone:'
Are you afraid of something God has asked you to do or some
situation He has brought into your life? God desires to strengthen your
faith through these times. Rather than seeking your own solution, place
your faith completely in God, and trust Him. Do not allow fear to enter
your heart, but move from fear to faith in God!
Leftovers
... Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour
as thyself-LUKE 10:27
Edgar Hoover ran the FBI with an iron fist. As a result, almost all
J of his subordinates were on the lookout for ways to impress their
powerful boss. A young FBI agent put in charge of the supply department
attempted to cut costs and impress his boss by reducing the size of the
office memo paper.
One of the new memo sheets soon ended up on Hoover's desk.
Hoover took one look at it, determined he didn't like the size of the
margins on the paper, and quickly scribbled on the memo, "Watch the
borders!" The memo was passed on through the office.
For the next six weeks, it was extremely difficult to enter the United
States by road from either Mexico or Canada. The FBI was watching
the borders. They thought they had received a warning from their chief,
but they hadn't. They had transformed an innocuous comment into a
solemn warning.
Many messages are confused or misinterpreted. In the Old
Testament days, the people didn't have the entire Bible, so God gave them
prophets, holy men of God, who relayed God's messages. If a prophet
refused to relay God's message to the people, he was no longer useful to
the Lord. God could speak, but if the prophet was not surrendered and
obedient, the people would never get God's message.
Think about your own life. God has given you a message called
salvation. He has spoken it to you through His Word, and you are
His spokesperson, sent to tell the ones He loves of salvation. Are you
communicating it to them? Have you spoken the truth of God's Word
to those around you? Determine to relay God's message of salvation to
others today, for there will be a day when you will no longer be able to
tell them.
Not by Accident
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
and ye shall be witnesses unto me .. .. -ACTS r:8
orne years ago, I met with the vice president of a bank as we were
S finalizing a loan to build our church auditorium. We had already met
several times, but in our last meeting, the Lord laid it on my heart to
witness to this man.
"Mike;' I began, "if you were to die today, do you know for sure
you would spend eternity in Heaven?" He said, "Well, I really couldn't
say for sure. I hope I would." I then asked, "Could I show you from the
Bible how you can know for sure that Heaven would be your home?'' He
replied, "That would be great." After showing him the Scriptures and
telling him what Christ had done, Mike prayed and accepted the Lord
as his Saviour.
A few weeks after that, Mike wrote me a letter. "Pastor Chappell," he
wrote, "over the years I have worked for the bank, I have visited several
churches. I have been in dozens of pastors' offices, but you were the first
one to ask me if I knew for sure I was on my way to Heaven."
Have you ever neglected the Holy Spirit's leading to tell someone
of Christ, assuming that someone else would witness to him? Too many
times we assume that somehow, some way, someone will tell our friends
or neighbors about God. If I had not followed the Lord's leading, Mike
might have never been saved.
It's not by accident that God has placed you where you are today.
Think about your work, your neighborhood, the grocery store at which
you shop. Those people you see each day are witnessing opportunities
from God! God knows what is taking place in the lives of people with
whom you come in contact, and He knows the right time for the seed
of His Gospel to be planted in their hearts. Remain sensitive to the Holy
Spirit's prompting when He directs you to witness of Him.
Warning1
And the LoRD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face
of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of
the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace
in the eyes of the LoRD.-GENESIS 6:7-8
t has been said that in a lifetime the average American will spend six
I months sitting at stoplights, eight months opening junk mail, one year
looking for misplaced objects, five years waiting in line, and six years
eating. Those few minutes here and there add up!
What would the number be if you added up all the time you have
spent with God so far in life? Would it be a year? A month? A week? Many
Christians give the excuse that they are too busy to develop a relationship
with God. Yet consider Noah. What gave Noah the faith needed to take
God at His word and to do something that appeared totally illogical?
Noah gained strength and faith from spending time with God. He
developed an intimate walk with God.
The greatest decision Noah made in his life wasn't to build the Ark,
but to spend time with God. Building the Ark was simply the outflow of
a walk with God, of his obedience to God. Noah was ready for his journey
because he was in tune with God.
In spending time with God and walking with Him, Noah had
displayed a spirit, an attitude, and a character that made him acceptable
and well-pleasing to God. This spirit approved him for the most important
of tasks at that time-the task to preserve the human race.
God wants to spend time with you through His Word each day. Just
as Noah had to ignore all the distractions and temptations of his day, so
you must also ignore the distractions of this world and choose to walk
with God.
Have you spent time with God today? We spend so much time on
the trivial things in life, yet many times neglect the One who made us! He
is your God, and He desires to be with you! When life is done, don't let it
be said that you spent more time looking for your lost keys than seeking
God through His Word.
Following Orders
Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
-GENESIS 6:22
lthough Roger Staubach led the Dallas Cowboys to the Super Bowl
A victory in 1971, there was one part of his career that proved to be a
trial for him: he didn't call his own plays. His coach, Tom Landry, called
all the plays and would only let him change a play in an emergency.
Staubach considered Landry to have a "genius mind" when it came to
football, but his own pride told him that he should be able to run his
own team.
Roger had a decision to make. Would he allow pride to rule his life
and ignore his coach, making himself the star? Or would he listen to the
coach and do what he wanted? Staubach later said, "I faced up to the issue
of obedience. Once I learned to obey, there was harmony, fulfillment, and
victory." Because Roger Staubach decided to ignore his own thoughts
and ideas and simply follow his coach, their team won.
Noah was also good at following orders. God gave Noah specific
directions for building an ark. Rather than questioning God's plan or
design, Noah said, "Okay, Lord. Whatever you want to do is fine by me."
Think about God's plan. Up to this point, there had never been any rain
on earth. The concept of water falling from the sky was foreign to Noah.
Yet rather than questioning God's plan or wasting time trying to figure
out the reasoning behind it, he followed orders.
Our finite human minds will never be able to figure out the plans
of an infinite God! If God has given you a command, then do it! Do not
question, manipulate, or ponder it. If Noah had waited to build the ark
until he figured out God's plan, his family would have drowned.
What has God commanded you to do today? Are you doing it?
When you start to question God's plan, remember Noah's obedience and
follow God's orders right away!
Responding to Scoffers
.. . Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate
you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
-MATTHEW 5:44
t is amazing to look over the course of American history and see that
I with every conflict, there have existed heroes and scoffers simultaneously.
The contrasts to me are amazing. At one point, former Vice President AI
Gore called for the resignation of President Bush because of the war in
Iraq. But contrast his scoffing with the life of a young football player
named Pat Tillman who walked away from a $3.6 million contract to
fight for his country.
In the spiritual conflict there are also heroes and scoffers. People
mock the biblical family, the biblical account of creation, traditional values,
and moral living. As a Christian, you will face ridicule for your beliefs.
Do not be discouraged, for even Christ was mocked. The Lord gives
us a perfect example of what we are to do in the face of ridicule. While
others mocked and scoffed at Him, Christ answered their accusations
without a word. He showed them kindness when they showed Him
hatred. Even so, when others mock us and seek to slander our names,
we should love them, pray for them, and show them the same kindness
Christ showed others.
It's not easy to show kindness to those who mock you. Our human
nature cries out for retaliation, but God commands us to love and pray
for our enemies. Even when others seek to harm us, through God's help,
we can respond to them with love and kindness.
How do you respond when other people mock you or scoff your
faith? Do you boil over with anger and lash out against them? Or do you
respond in love? Determine that when others mock you, you will go to
God for strength, respond in kindness, and pray for God to change their
hearts. After all, how you respond directly reflects on Christ.
t was the time of the year when the kings of every nation would
I go to war, yet rather than doing his normal duty, David tarried at
Jerusalem. This led to his adultery with Bathsheba. David's first act of
sin was not lingering on the rooftop, looking at Bathsheba. It was when
he stayed behind in Jerusalem rather than being on the battlefield where
he was supposed to be. God's will for David during that time was to be
at battle, but because he was not on the path God had for him, he fell
into temptation.
God has a pattern and a path for your life that He will bless and
prosper even through trials. But when you step off that path, away from
that pattern of life, you step into the trap of the devil. You are less likely to
fall into temptation when you are on the path God has for your life and
are faithful to the calling He has given you.
God's path for your life includes developing a growing personal
relationship with Him. It includes faithfully reading His Word and
praying each day. It includes attending church and faithfully giving to
Him. It also includes telling others of Christ's plan of salvation and being
yielded to the Holy Spirit's leading. When you lapse from these basics of
God's path for your life, you are more susceptible to temptation.
Are you on the path God has for your life? Are you being faithful to
reading your Bible, praying, attending church, and telling others of Him?
When you are out of the way of duty, you are in the way of temptation.
Make sure you are in the way of duty today so you can avoid the devil's
way of temptation!
Restoring Fellowship
And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord.
- 2 SAMUEL 12:13
russian king Frederick the Great was once touring a Berlin prison.
P The prisoners fell on their knees before him to proclaim their
innocence-except for one man, who remained silent. Frederick called to
him, "Why are you here?" ''Armed robbery, Your Majesty;' was the reply.
''And are you guilty?" "Yes indeed, Your Majesty, I deserve my punishment."
Frederick then summoned the jailer and ordered him, "Release this guilty
wretch at once. I will not have him kept in this prison where he will
corrupt all the fine innocent people who occupy it."
Forgiveness can really only be received when we have acknowledged
our wrong to the Lord and repented. When we sin, our fellowship with
God is hindered and cannot be restored until we have confessed our sin
to Him and asked for His forgiveness.
When we sin, the Holy Spirit convicts us, because He wants
us to restore our fellowship with Himself. King David was restored
to fellowship with God after his sin with Bathsheba as a result of his
response to conviction. When he was confronted by the prophet Nathan,
he acknowledged his sin and humbly sought the Lord's forgiveness.
How do you handle conviction? Do you become angry? You cannot
get back into fellowship with God if you do not respond correctly to
biblical conviction.
Has God convicted you about some area of your life? Do not view
conviction as an attack on your character. God merely wants to bring you
back to fellowship with Him! And He often uses earthly means to bring
conviction-a godly friend, a sermon at church, a verse from the Bible.
Thank God that He cares enough about you to call you back to Himselfl
Repent about the area of which He is convicting you, and let Him restore
you to a right relationship with Him today.
Standing at a Crossroads
Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass,
that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou,
and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the
children ofisrael.-]OSHUA I:I-2
Fighting Temptation
And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her
eyes upon joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said ...
how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
-GENESIS 39:7-9
Displaying Character
And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left
his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.-GENESIS 39:12
oseph lost his coat, but he didn't lose his character. You may lose some
J friends or a job by taking a stand for God and refusing to give in to
temptation, but you won't lose your godly testimony. God can always
give you another job or different friends, but He doesn't instantly give
you a godly character. Character is developed through living for God and
making right choices day after day.
Character is not created in the crisis; it is merely revealed in the
crisis. Many people in Joseph's situation would have quit. But Joseph had
learned that wherever he went, God went with him. He knew God would
provide grace for whatever situation he was in.
Character is choosing to listen to God and follow Him rather than
giving in to the devil's temptation. It is taking the narrow road rather than
the wide road. Displaying character isn't easy and it isn't developed on
your own, but God's grace can help you develop character in your life.
We all face problems in life, and we all struggle in displaying
character during them. You may be saying, "Well, you don't know what
I'm going through. You don't know the problems I face at work. You can't
understand the issues in my life:' And you're right; I don't know all you're
going through. But I know that if you're saved, the Lord is with you. He
has offered you grace to go through even the toughest situations.
Are you going through a difficult time in your life? God desires that
you would make right choices and display character even in the face of
adversity. As you spend time each day in His Word and develop a pattern
of making right choices, God will develop character in your life.
A fter the Civil War, Robert E. Lee visited a Kentucky lady who took
him to the remains of a grand old tree in front of her house. There
she bitterly cried that its limbs and trunk had been destroyed by Federal
artillery fire. She looked to Lee for a word condemning the North or at
least sympathizing with her loss. After a brief silence, Lee said, "Cut it
down, my dear Madam, and forget it."
After Joseph became a ruler in Egypt and his brothers came to him
for help, he could have meted out some well-deserved punishment to
them. No doubt when Joseph's brothers realized who he was, fear gripped
their hearts. After all, Joseph could have exacted revenge on them for the
terrible crime they had committed against him.
I might have been tempted to say, "You did me wrong so you're
going to serve me for a little while. I've been waiting for this day for
decades." But Joseph was not a scorekeeper, but a grace-giver. He forgave
his brothers.
I've heard people say, "Pastor, I think God gave me cancer so I
can help others." "I think God brought me through that trial so I could
minister to others who are going through it." Rather than focusing on the
pain, these people are trusting in God's purposes for their lives.
When you focus on yourself and how you have been wronged, you
will never see God's purpose in the circumstance. Have you experienced
a hurt or trial? Maybe someone wrongly accused you or falsely punished
you. Do you still feel hurt, anger, or bitterness when you think of the
situation or when you see that person? Don't allow bitterness to have
place in your heart. Give the situation to God, forgive those involved,
and forget the matter! Move forward for God rather than holding on to
the hurt.
noticed a man at the grocery store once who was only wearing shorts
I and a pair of shoes. He was a big man who was covered with tattoos.
When I got in the checkout line, he was directly in front of me. As I waited
for my turn to pay, I began looking at all his tattoos. He had dragons,
people's names, and all sorts of interesting designs. It was evident that he
had spent quite a deal of time and money on his "art." But as he shifted,
I noticed one tattoo that stood out to me. Across one section of his arm
was a tattoo that read: "Only God Can Judge Me."
Most people in society today have the idea that they can live their
lives any way they want, and only God can judge them. Yet even as
they exhibit this mentality, they do not live as if they believe God will
judge them.
One day God will indeed judge all of us. But before God brings
judgment, He always gives mercy. He doesn't want Judgment Day to be a
sad time for us-He desires to reward us.
As Christians, we will stand before God and give an account to Him.
If we are living for God and serving Him, we will be able to hear "Well
done thou good and faithful servant. Enter into My rest."
God's mercy always precedes God's judgment. He will one day
judge, but in the meantime He gives you messages of hope and mercy.
He reaches His hand out to you when you fall. He encourages you to
keep going when things get tough. Do not think that God is ready to
punish you each time you fall. He loves you and extends His mercy to
you. Rather than focusing on the judgment of God, take a hold of His
mercy and continue serving Him.
T here is a fable of an eagle that could outfly another, and the other
eagle didn't like it. The latter saw a sportsman one day, and said to
him, "I wish you would bring down that eagle." The sportsman replied
that he would if he only had some feathers to put into the arrow. So the
eagle pulled one out of his wing. The arrow was shot, but didn't quite
reach the rival eagle; it was flying too high. The envious eagle pulled out
more feathers, and kept pulling them out until he lost so many that he
couldn't fly. The sportsman then turned around and killed him. The
jealousy of the eagle caused his own demise.
Saul's life is an example of the destructive nature of jealousy.
David's victory over Goliath won him instant popularity among the
people. Because of David's popularity, however, Saul developed a jealous
attitude toward David. Rather than being glad that God had raised up a
man to help defend Israel and to defeat the enemy, Saul sulked because
he was not the one receiving the glory.
Jealousy can come into all our lives if we are not careful. We can
become upset and jealous when someone around us is lifted up for
something they have done. Have you ever felt jealousy toward someone
chosen to lead in an area in which you desired to lead? Or they were
blessed when you felt you should have been blessed instead?
When you feel jealousy beginning to creep into your life, ask God to
help you focus on Him and the work that was accomplished rather than
on yourself. When your heart is right with God and your focus is on Him,
you will be able to rejoice when others are blessed!
Strength to Stand
.. . I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread
nor drink water: And the LoRD delivered unto me two tables of stone
written with the finger of God .. .. -DEUTERONOMY 9:9-IO
A l Capone was the most feared man in Chicago during the prohibition
years. The police and Federal Bureau of Investigation were afraid of
how he would retaliate were they to oppose him. One law enforcement
official, however, had the strength to meet this challenge. Frank Loesch,
a Christian, organized a group of citizens into the Chicago Crime
Commission. This group's mission was to end organized crime in Chicago
and thus free innocent victims from its clutches.
Serving as the crime commission chairman, Loesch had constant
threats on his life as well as on the lives of his family and friends, yet he
stood strong. Ultimately, he was victorious and was a key instrument in
detective Eliot Ness' mission to remove Capone from the streets of Chicago.
Loesch had the strength and confidence to stand against the most feared
mob boss at that time as a result of the time he spent with God each day.
In the same way, Moses gained strength to lead the children of Israel
in the time he spent alone with God. Moses spent forty days on Mount
Sinai, fastened upon God. He was so intently listening to God that for
forty days he did not eat or drink. He wanted and needed nothing more
than the presence of God.
Moses was one man, leading a large group of people through a
wilderness to the Promised Land. While it seems obvious that Moses
needed God's help and guidance, God's strength in your life is no
less important.
Are you spending time with God each day? He desires to help you
and give you strength and direction for your life, but He can't unless you
are daily seeking His face. Do you need strength today? Strength is found
in the presence of God. Spend time with God right now.
Just Be Patient
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the
mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said
unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses,
the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is
become ofhim.-Exoous p:I
once read the story of John Currier who was convicted of murder and
I sentenced to life in prison in 1949. He was transferred to work on a
prison farm near Nashville, Tennessee. After Currier had worked for
twenty years, his sentence was cut short, and a letter was sent declaring
him free. The letter, however, never reached Currier, and he served an
additional ten years, unaware that he was really a free man.
The story concluded by asking, "Would it matter to you if someone
sent you an important message-the most important in your life-and
year after year the urgent message was never delivered?"
Had someone cared about this man's freedom, they would have
sought him out until the message was delivered. Even so, as Christians,
God desires that we passionately share the message of Christ with others
so they too can know true freedom in Christ.
We have been entrusted with the most important message anyone
could ever hear. We know the truth that would set others free-if we
would just deliver it.
Communicating the message of the Gospel will take diligence and
effort. It will require commitment and perseverance to seek out those
who are lost and convey the urgency of their condition. But when we see
the love that Jesus has given us, we are constrained to tell others of Him.
Do you have a burden for souls? Are you passionately witnessing
for Christ? David Brained, missionary to the North American Indians,
wrote, "I care not where I go or how I live or what I endure so that I may
save souls." Spend time telling others of Christ today. Be passionate in
your witness and prayer for the souls of the lost.
Make a Decision
And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye
between two opinions? if the LoRD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then
follow him. And the people answered him not a word.-1 KINGS 18:21
ormer President Ronald Reagan once had an aunt who took him to
F a cobbler for a new pair of shoes. The cobbler asked young Reagan,
"Do you want square toes or round toes?" Unable to decide, Reagan didn't
answer, so the cobbler gave him a few days. Several days later the cobbler
saw Reagan on the street and asked him again what kind of toes he wanted
on his shoes. Reagan still couldn't decide, so the shoemaker replied, "Well,
come by in a couple of days. Your shoes will be ready."
When the future President did so, he found one square-toed and
one round-toed shoe! "This will teach you to never let people make
decisions for you:' the cobbler said to his indecisive customer. "I learned
right then and there;' Reagan said later, "if you don't make your own
decisions, someone else will."
The people of Elijah's day faced the problem of indecision. They
couldn't decide whether they wanted to follow God or the idols King
Ahab had built. That problem is also prevalent in Christianity today.
Many Christians can't decide whether they believe God's Word and want
to trust Him, or live for the pleasures of this world. They are torn between
living for God and living for self.
Some Christians, like Joshua, need to decide to serve God no matter
what," .. . as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15).
The devil tempts Christians daily to serve idols or self, rather than
serving God. How do you respond to temptation in your life? Like the
Israelites in Elijah's day, you must make a decision. Determine today to
seek God's help in making the decision to serve Him rather than self.
Not in My Strength
Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of
the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let
them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for
themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:
and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire
under: And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name
of the LoRD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all
the people answered and said, It is well spoken.-r KINGS r8:22-24
lijah saw that the people of Israel could not make up their minds in
E deciding who to serve, so he proposed a test to prove which "god" was
more powerful. The God that answered by fire would be worshipped as
the true God.
The prophets of Baal began their ceremonious chanting and praying
to their god. But nothing happened.
Then Elijah cried out to God, ''And ... Elijah the prophet came near,
and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this
day that thou art God in Israel ... " (1 Kings 18:36). Those on the mountain
heard the sincere prayer of Elijah and saw the fire come down from
Heaven. The reason Elijah prevailed in the conflict was not because of
his skill or his effort, but because of the mighty hand of God.
None of us can make it on our own! The Christian life lived in
your own strength is destined to be a life of misery, heartache, and
failure. Only through the strength of God is the victorious Christian
life possible. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me"
(Philippians 4:13).
Have you been frustrated trying to live your Christian life in your
own strength? Don't go through today in your own strength, but look to
God for help right now.
R obert Louis Stevenson, the great writer and poet, wrote words that
continue to enrich our lives today. Yet what did he write for his
epitaph? "Here lies one who meant well, who tried a little, and failed
much." When Stevenson reached the end of his life and looked back on
his accomplishments, he saw mostly failure.
Sometimes after a great period of exertion, physically or spiritually,
there comes a season of discouragement. This happened in Elijah's life. He
had just accomplished a great spiritual victory when he called down fire
from Heaven and slew the prophets of Baal. Yet in 1 Kings 19, we see Elijah
retreating from the battle.
Even Elijah, a great man of God, experienced discouragement. If you
feel discouraged, it does not mean you are uncommitted to God. Sometimes
you are physically or spiritually exhausted, and you feel discouraged.
The devil often uses discouraging times to pull you away from God
and onto a different path. He will cause you to doubt your salvation,
question God's goodness, and stray from God's will for your life. Do
not make life-changing decisions during times of discouragement! This
is not the time to decide God wants you to be somewhere else, doing
something else.
Look at God's response to Elijah's request to die, ''And the angel of
the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and
eat; because the journey is too great for thee" (1 Kings 19:7). God fed Elijah,
gave him sustenance and rest, and encouraged him to keep going.
When you are feeling discouraged, don't let the devil pull you away
from God. Take time for spiritual sustenance and rest. Spend time with God
in His Word. Let Him sustain you and strengthen you for your journey.
What Humility]
Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took
Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place
called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where
they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus
in the midst.-]OHN I9:I6-r8
ather, forgive them." Can you visualize the passion Christ put into
F that statement? He had just been beaten beyond recognition. He
endured the mocking, the spitting, and the jeering. He stood silently as
the people He formed with love lied about Him and falsely accused Him.
He allowed them to burden Him with a rugged cross as He painfully
made His way to His death. He suffered as they nailed His hands and feet
to the Cross. And He hung on the Cross as the guards mocked Him.
While most of us would have spoken out in anger, our Lord
spoke out in kindness. He begged His Father to forgive those who were
crucifying Him. Through all the injustices, Christ still saw these people
with love.
As Christians, many times we can be guilty of failing to forgive
others. How many times has someone sought your forgiveness for a
wrong they had committed against you, but you refused to forgive them?
Or how many times have you verbally forgiven someone, but kept the
hurt in your heart?
God did not have to forgive us, and yet He did willingly. He lovingly
and almost excitedly offered you forgiveness! It's as if He said, "Here it
is! Look! I suffered and died all because I wanted to give you this-it's
forgiveness for all you've done. Please take it." We should be as eager to
forgive others as God was to forgive us.
If Christ could see those who crucified Him and forgive them, can't
you forgive those who have wronged you? Who do you need to forgive?
Do not forgive them because they deserve it or because you feel like it; do
it because you love God-because He has forgiven you.
He Is Alive
And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it
was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man
sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were
affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek jesus of
Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place
where they laid him.-MARK 16:4-6
T hree days after Jesus died on the cross, Mary Magdalene and some
other women came to His tomb to cover His body with incense.
When they approached the tomb, they found an empty tomb and saw an
angel nearby. The angel proclaimed the good news-that Jesus had risen
from the dead.
These women were astonished and probably confused as the angel
told them of the resurrection. They had been living in sadness of Jesus'
death, when really He was alive! Many times we as Christians do not live
as though Christ has risen. Sometimes our faith and hope is so faint that
one would wonder if we truly believe that Christ is alive.
For many Christians, a trial or a difficult situation causes them to
lose hope. Their trust in God wanes, and they no longer live with a love
for Him. This should not be. We must not let the devil rob us of our hope
and joy. Christ is alive! Let us live each day with that fact in mind!
Death Valley, at 276 feet below sea level, is the hottest place in
the Untied States. In 2005, however, a strange weather pattern caused
rain to fall on this parched desert for nineteen days. Suddenly, millions
of dormant seeds burst into bloom, and the valley of death exploded
into life.
When we live with the hope and joy that Christ is alive, our once
"dead" lives will blossom into life and service for God! Are you living with
the hope and joy that Christ is alive? Let your actions and countenance
today show that Christ truly has risen and is alive!
HeHasaPlan
These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,
Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify
thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give
eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal,
that they might know thee the only true God, and jesus Christ, whom
thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work
which thou gavest me to do.-]OHN 17:1-4
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March 29
ver the years there have been some amazing journeys taken
O throughout our world. In 1773, Captain James Cook led an
expedition to explore Antarctica. In 1803, Meriwether Lewis and William
Clark journeyed to the Louisiana Purchase to survey the western territory
of the United States. In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and his team of explorers
made a journey up Mount Everest.
These were all monumental and courageous journeys, yet they all
pale in comparison to the journey that was taken nearly two thousand
years ago--Christ's journey to the Cross. While the end of the Lord's
journey-His glorious resurrection-was amazing and noteworthy,
notice something about His actual journey: everything that Jesus did on
His journey was to bring glory and honor to His Father.
In the same way, our main reason for this journey called "life" should
be to glorify God in all we do. We should not seek God's glorification for
our own personal gain, but we should reflect all the praise back to Him!
For without God, we would be lost sinners on our way to an eternity
in Hell.
What is your primary purpose for living on earth? Is it to attain a
certain status at work or to gain a certain possession? Christ's primary
goal while on earth was to glorify His Father in all He did. Even so, your
main goal in life should be to bring honor to your Heavenly Father. I
once heard a preacher say, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and
to enjoy Him forever."
Put God at the forefront of your mind today. Focus on glorifying
God in all you do today and throughout your life's journey.
He Was There
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over
the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his
disciples. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus
ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received
a band of men and officers from the chiefpriests and Pharisees, cometh
thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.-JOHN 18:1-3
esus knew the agony of loss. He tasted the pain of death. He felt the
J hurt of rejection. Jesus also experienced the pain of personal betrayal.
It's one thing to have the world against you, but it's another thing to have
those closest to you betray you.
Judas walked with Jesus for three and a half years. He heard Jesus'
teachings, saw His miracles, and witnessed His power. Yet Judas did not
accept Christ for who He was. He was not a true follower of Christ.
It must have hurt the Lord's heart to see Judas cast his lot with the
enemy. He had betrayed Christ and had chosen to side with the devil. All
the time the Lord had spent teaching, training, and mentoring him was
to no avail.
Maybe you have experienced the pain of personal betrayal. Maybe
someone you knew or loved turned away from you or betrayed you.
Many times it hurts the most when those closest to you disappoint you.
Yet even during these times, God says, "I know how you feel. I was there.
I experienced that too. It hurts. But I want to comfort you. Come to Me
and let Me help heal the pain:'
Have you been hurt by someone you love? Are you hurting from
something in your life right now? You don't have to go through the pains
of life alone. Christ experienced the pain you face today. He suffered
loss, the death of a loved one, personal betrayal, denial, and rejection.
Don't live in hurt and pain, but seek Christ's comfort, and press on for
Him today.
ach of us have times in our lives when we must decide whose side we
E are on. Whether it's deciding a sports team or a political candidate,
we have all had to decide who we trust and partner with.
The Israelites faced such a choice shortly after being delivered from
Egypt. They had miraculously crossed the Red Sea on dry ground and
arrived at Mount Horeb (Sinai). Moses had already made one trip up the
mount and returned with the Ten Commandments. He told the people
to sanctify themselves and receive the rest of God's instructions, and they
agreed to keep themselves pure before the Lord until Moses returned.
When Moses was gone, many days passed with no word from him.
It had been almost forty days since he left, and the people started to get
anxious. They did not know if Moses was even still alive!
Instead of trusting God during this time of waiting, however, they
turned to Aaron and demanded immediate action. Aaron, Moses' brother,
should have been a strong spiritual leader, but he caved in to the people's
requests and sought to appease their demands. Instead of pointing the
people back to God, he made an idol for them to worship.
Like Aaron and the Israelites, we sometimes take our eyes off God
during a time of waiting. In our impatience, we attempt to find answers
on our own, preventing God from the work He wants to do in our lives.
Are you going through a time of waiting? God longs to work in you,
but you must look to Him and remain faithful. Ask God to help you look
only to Him as you patiently wait for His will in your life.
Glorifying God
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord ... Who hath
saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works,
but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ
jesus before the world began.-2 TIMOTHY r:8-9
illy Sunday once said, "More men fail through lack of purpose than
B . lack of talent." Many go about life with no purpose. Others seem to
only be living to gather earthly possessions or material wealth. But as
Christians, we know that God has a purpose for each of our lives.
One of God's purposes for our lives is that we glorify His name.
Ephesians 1:12 says, "That we should be to the praise of his glory ...." When
we bring praise to His name, we are fulfilling God's purpose for us
as believers.
The world notices that we are Christians, and they watch how we
live. If we live no differently than they do, they will not see their need for
Christ. One of Hollywood's leading men a generation ago seemed to have
it all. After a glamorous life, however, he felt there was nothing else for
which to live and took his life. He left a note that read: "I committed suicide
because I am bored and because I have already lived long enough."
Millions today are hurting and struggling to find the significance
of life. Many turn to money, pleasure, or substances to find purpose, but
they need to see in us that true life purpose is only found in Christ.
God desires for us to glorify Him in all we do each day. Whether we
are at work, home, or simply out and about, others should know that we
are Christians through our testimony and our words.
Are you glorifying God through your actions? Our purpose on
earth is not to gain possessions or material wealth, it is to do God's will
and glorify His name in all we do. Ask God to help you glorify Him today,
and remember to honor Him in all you do today.
A Message of Hope
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into
thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day
shalt thou be with me in paradise.-LUKE 23:42-43
A Message of Importance
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If
thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked
him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same
condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our
deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.- LUKE 23:39-41
A Message of Forgiveness
And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him,
saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen
of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering
him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself And
a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin,
and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.- LUKE 23:35-38
he famous Baptist pastor, R.G. Lee, once visited the site of Calvary in
T Israel. He wanted to go to the top, so he asked a guide to bring him. As
they reached the top, the guide asked, "Have you ever been here before?"
Dr. Lee said, "Yes, some 2,ooo years ago." A piece of each of us was at
Calvary that day as Christ bore each one of our sins. Our sins demanded
death, and Christ paid the price as He shed His blood for us.
Christ's redemption provides a way to Heaven. While doing good
things will not get us to Heaven, believing on Christ will! When we were
in sin, we had no hope of an eternity spent with Christ, but Christ changed
that when He died on the Cross! John 6:47 says, "Verily, verily, I say unto
you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life."
Friend, Christ paid the price so that we might be saved! His sacrifice
paid for our sins and provided a way for us to get to Heaven. Thank God
today that He sent His Son to die for us. Not only did Christ die for us,
but He rose from the grave three days later! Death could not have power
over Him! As you remember Christ's sacrifice, rejoice in the fact that He
is alive today!
There are many who still have not received Christ's gift of
forgiveness. Let them know that Christ paid for their sins and provided
them a way to Heaven when He died on the Cross. Share His message of
the Cross today!
A True Disciple
Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me,
not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and
were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat
which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto
you: for him hath God the Father sealed.-] OHN 6:26-27
Forgiven
And.. .Joseph ofArimathaea ... came, and went in boldly unto Pilate,
and craved the body ofJesus. And he bought fine linen, and took him
down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre
which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the
sepulchre.- MARK 15:42-43,46
oseph of Arimathaea was a wealthy man who was saved early in Jesus'
J earthly ministry. Joseph wanted to preserve Christ's body and requested
to bury it in his own tomb.
The linen Joseph used to wrap around Jesus' body was a picture
of righteousness. When we receive Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we are
wrapped in His righteousness. As we ask Him for forgiveness from our
sins, we are declared righteous before God's throne. Christ's death and
resurrection is a picture of forgiveness and righteousness.
Sometimes it is hard for us to comprehend God's forgiveness
because our human forgiveness is temporal. When we ask God to forgive
us, He never remembers our sins again! While we may struggle to forgive
others, God forgives us and declares us righteous.
A man was telling his friend about an argument he had with his wife.
"Oh, how I hate it," he said. "Every time we have an argument, she gets
historical." The friend replied, "You mean hysterical." "No," he insisted. "I
mean historical. Every time we argue she drags up everything from the
past and holds it against me!"
It's easy for us to remember the faults of others, but because we
have been forgiven and are clothed in God's righteousness, He never
remembers our sins! We must strive to forgive others with the same
forgiveness we've received. "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you"
(Ephesians 4:32).
Is there someone against whom you're harboring bitterness? Forgive
those who have wronged you even as God has forgiven you.
Coming Again
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might
redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
zealous ofgood works.-Tnus 2:13-14
he early church had great anticipation for the Lord's return. Every
T writer of the New Testament gave some information about the Lord's
return and the hope it brought to those in suffering and persecution.
Many had lost loved ones and friends dear to them, so the hope of seeing
them again one day was also comforting.
Christ promises that His return is certain. "... I go to prepare a
place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again ... "
(John 14:2-3). We can trust that Christ is one day coming again.
Christ's return will be sudden, and Scripture instructs us to look for
His coming. "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look
for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20 ). We do not know
the time of His return, yet because He tells us in Scripture, we know that
it is soon.
Dr. G. Campbell Morgan, the distinguished British clergyman, said,
"I never begin my work in the morning without thinking that perhaps He
may interrupt my work and begin His own. I am not looking for death, I
am looking for Him."
Because we know that Christ's return is soon, we should be prepared
and ready for Him to come back at any moment. Our lives should be
spotless, and we should be busy about God's work so that if He were to
come back, we would be ready.
Christ's promise to return offers hope to us as believers, yet we must
make sure we are ready to meet Him. Christ could come at any moment!
As a Christian, are you ready to meet the Lord? Are you faithfully serving
Him with a pure heart? Spend time with the Lord right now, and make
sure you are ready should He come back today.
Living by Faith
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.- HEBREWS II:I-2
ebrews 11, the "faith chapter" of the Bible, chronicles the lives of
H men and women who showed faith in the face of adversity. It also
records the ways God blessed the lives of these heroes of faith.
Faith simply believes God. A life of faith is not characterized by
doubt or fear. When we trust God and place our lives into His hands, we
can trust that He will guide us in the direction we need to go. While many
people worry about finances, decisions, and life after death, we can have
confidence when God controls our lives!
Faith is a choice. We must choose to place our trust in Christ and
give Him full control. We are not living by faith if we are creating a "back-
up plan!" Faith trusts Christ fully.
A traveler in the early days of the West came to the Mississippi River
and discovered there was no bridge. Fortunately, it was winter and the
great river was sheeted over with ice. But the traveler was afraid to cross,
because he did not know how thick the ice was. Finally, with infinite
caution, he began to creep across on his hands and knees. About halfway
over, he heard singing from behind. Cautiously he turned, and there, out
of the dusk, came another traveler, driving a four- horse load of coal over
the ice, singing as he went!
The traveler in the wagon had faith that the ice would hold him, but
the first traveler would have never known the power of the ice, because he
did not trust it. We can trust our God! But we must choose to trust Him.
Are you living by faith? Faith does not hesitate or falter when asked
to do the impossible! We know our God is mighty and powerful, and He
can do all things! Ask Christ to help you live by faith today.
Choosing to Surrender
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents,
because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the
king's commandment.- HEBREWS II:23
hortly before Moses was born, Pharaoh decreed that all male Jewish
S children were to be killed. God had other plans for Moses' life, however;
God had chosen Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Because Moses'
parents were surrendered to God's will, they protected their son. They
chose to follow God instead of Pharaoh. They chose to surrender to God
rather than the world.
A life of faith chooses to surrender to God. Moses' parents had faith
that God would take care of them and Moses as they obeyed Him. As
Moses' parents chose to trust God for safety and surrendered him, He
protected young Moses.
It has been said that there is no such thing as a correspondence
course for swimming. If you want to swim, you must get into the pool.
It takes courage to get into the unknown and learn. Even so, we cannot
expect God to work in our lives if we are not surrendering to God in
obedience. A faith that is never put to work will not be strong when it
is tested.
Living by faith requires a choice of surrender to Christ. We must
surrender our will and our plans to Him. We must put our lives in His
hands. When we, in faith, put our lives into God's hands, He will guide
us and protect us. Moses' parents surrendered themselves to Christ, and
they exhibited that surrender in obedience to Him.
Are you surrendered to God? Are you living with complete trust
and faith in Him? Don't let the devil bring fear and doubt into your life.
Choose to surrender to God and trust Him completely as you live by
faith today.
Choosing to Identify
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son
of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with
the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.
-HEBREWS II:24-25
False Accusations
The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all
their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and
saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.- PSALM 34:17-18
ave you ever been faced with the injustice of a wrongful accusation?
H Even when our testimony is pure, others sometimes accuse us of
things we did not do. We've all heard the saying, "Sticks and stones may
break my bones, but words will never hurt me." That is simply not true.
No matter what age a person is, unkind words or wrongful accusations
can hurt us and result in broken hearts.
When we go through the heartache of an injustice in our lives, we
must look to the Lord. He was wrongfully accused when He was on earth.
In order to "rightfully" crucify Christ, the religious leaders had to accuse
Him of some crime, yet He had no fault. They lied and I'm sure it broke
our Lord's heart to know that the people He loved were falsely accusing
Him. Yet He did not retaliate; He simply loved them.
Even when those around us accuse us or slander our names, we
must love them. We can look to Christ as our example and love these
people. Matthew 5:44 says, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless
them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them
which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Christ wants us to love even
those who purposefully try to hurt us.
I once heard a missionary to China describe different characters
of the Chinese alphabet. He came to one symbol that looked like a knife
throughaheartandexplaineditsymbolizedtheword"perseverance."Even
when others have hurt us, we can persevere through God's strength.
Have you been wrongfully accused? Have you been hurt by someone
around you? Ask Christ to help you love those who have hurt you. Seek
His strength to continue faithfully serving Him today.
God's Promise
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
-ROMANS 8:28
Compelled
Also I heard the voice of the LORD, saying, Whom shall I send, and who
will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.-ISAIAH 6:8
s Isaiah stood in the presence of the Lord and saw His glory, He
A willingly volunteered to serve Christ in any way! Even so, as we
spend time with Christ through His Word, and we see His glory, we will
be compelled to serve Him. Serving Christ will become a joy, and we will
look for any opportunity to serve Him.
Paul also volunteered to serve God when he beheld His glory. "And
he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And
the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee
what thou must do" (Acts 9:6).
We see God's glory through His Word. When we behold God's glory
through spending time in His Word, we will delight in serving Him and
willingly volunteer to do His will as Isaiah and Paul did.
A glimpse of God's glory also increases our appetite for Him. Time
spent with God compels us to want to know Him better. A deep hunger
for God will open treasures from His Word. "My son, if thou wilt receive
my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline
thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if
thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If
thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then
shalt thou understand the fear of the LoRD, and find the knowledge of God"
(Proverbs 2:1-5).
Do you enjoy serving Christ, or has it become a burden? Do you
have a passion to know Christ? As we behold God's glory through His
Word, we will be compelled to serve God, and we will desire to study His
Word so we can know Him more. Spend time with Christ today, volunteer
to serve Him, and seek to know Him more.
Remaining Faithful
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first
to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.-MARK r6:9
A Friend's Support
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
-PROVERBS 17:17
A Friend's Protection
And Jonathan said unto David ... if it please my father to do thee evil,
then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace:
and the LoRD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.
- 1 SAMUEL 20:12-13
once heard the story of two men who were on a hunting trip. Suddenly,
I one yelled, and the other looked up to see a grizzly bear charging
them. The first started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and his
friend anxiously asked, "What are you doing? Don't you know you can't
outrun a grizzly bear?'' "I don't have to outrun a grizzly. I just have to
outrun you!"
True friends do not run away when troubles come, but seek to help
protect their friends from the danger.
In our verses today, we see a familiar pair of friends, Jonathan and
David. Jonathan's father, King Saul, was pursuing David with the intent
of killing him. Jonathan protected David, risking his own life to keep
David safe.
There is an old Jewish proverb that says, "A friend is one who warns
you." True friends will warn each other and will help protect each other
when spiritual dangers come.
While Jonathan protected David from physical danger, we can
protect our friends from spiritual danger. Proverbs 27:6 says, "Faithful
are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." A godly
friend is not afraid to lovingly point out a spiritual danger in a friend's
life. Godly friends seek to build each other up and help protect each other
from the spiritual dangers of this world.
The world looks at friendships for what they can get out of the
relationship. But godly friends look at how they can help each other grow
spiritually. Are you helping your friends grow closer to Christ? Are you
protecting them from the devil's attacks? Ask Christ to help you draw
your friends into a closer relationship with Him today.
A Vision of Faith
And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched
unto the children of Israel. .. there we saw the giants, the sons ofAnak,
which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers,
and so we were in their sight.- NUMBERS 13:32-33
ne night a house caught fire, and a young boy was forced to flee to
0 the roof. His father stood on the ground below with outstretched
arms, calling to his son, "Jump! I'll catch you." He knew the boy had to
jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke,
and blackness. As can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof. His
father kept yelling, "Jump! I will catch you." But the boy protested,
"Daddy, I can't see you." The father replied, "But I can see you and that's
all that matters."
A vision of faith can enable us to conquer obstacles that come
into our lives. Joshua was a man with a vision. In Numbers 13, twelve
spies were sent into the Promised Land to scout it out. Ten of those spies
saw the land with human eyes-they saw the giants and overwhelming
obstacles that stood in the Israelites' way. But two of those spies, Caleb
and Joshua, saw the land through the lens of faith. Joshua and Caleb had
the vision to see past the obstacles to the mighty hand of God, and they
chose to believe God's promises.
When we don't view our circumstances through the eyes of faith,
even the smallest battles become giant obstacles in our eyes. Through the
eyes of faith, however, we see that nothing is too hard for God!
Has God given you a promise? Has He commanded you to go
forward and do something for Him? Many times we fail to obey His
commands because of a lack of vision. Don't let Satan steal your vision
of faith. When a problem arises, go to God's Word and find His promise.
Then claim it in your life, and trust Him for the victory!
Joy in Christ
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you,
and that your joy might be full.- JoHN rs:u
Continuing Joy
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have
kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things
have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your
joy might be fu//.-JOHN I5:IO-II
n yesterday's devotion we saw that Christ desires to fill our lives with
I joy. Not only does Christ desire to give us joy, but He wants us to have
joy in our lives continually! The happiness the world offers is temporary
but God's joy continues forever. He has an endless supply of joy, and He
desires to give us that joy each day!
Focusing on God's Word will bring continuing joy. Philippians 2:5
says, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." We should
spend time in God's Word each day to abide with Him. When we abide in
Christ and focus on His Word, we will have Christ's joy in our hearts.
Focusing on God's goodness to us will bring us joy as well. It was
once said that if we were more mindful of what God has done for us, we
would truly be thankful and joyful. Imagine where you would be without
Christ today. If Christ had not come to die for us, we would have no hope
of eternity! Not only did He provide us with a home in Heaven, but He
guides us, provides for us, and comforts us throughout our lives. God is
so good to us!
No matter what we go through, we can have joy as we focus on
God's Word and on His goodness to us. Do you have joy today? Spend
time in God's Word each day, and meditate on what you read. Take time
to thank God for all He has done for you. Let Christ give you the joy that
continues as you live for Him.
A Working Testimony
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh,
with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not
with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the
will of God from the heart.-EPHESIANS 6:5-6
ean recall the apprehension I sensed from our church members at our
l 1999 watch night service. Banks, businesses, governments, and military
branches all spent enormous amounts of time and money preparing
for"Y2K."
The year 2000 has come and gone, and the predictions of financial
and technological failures have been proven wrong. Just as with the
"Y2K" crisis, the world often seeks earthly solutions for survival. But as
Christians, we must seek Christ to help us spiritually "survive."
God calls out to us to seek Him for spiritual strength and sustenance.
He promises to give strength, nourishment, and joy to those who seek
Him. Every man has been created with a hole in his heart that only Christ
can fill. Yet when men seek happiness through other sources, they are
never satisfied. In 1900 there were three thousand millionaires in America.
Today there are nine million millionaires in America, yet men are still
seeking happiness. Only through seeking Christ can we have true joy.
Christ says that those who truly seek Him will never be disappointed!
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they
shall be filled" (Matthew s:6). When we seek the Lord through prayer
and Bible reading, we can have true joy. Nothing can offer us anything
compared to the joy we receive by seeking Christ!
Are you seeking Christ today? He will give us joy beyond what we
could imagine! Seek Him today and let Him strengthen you and fill your
life with His joy.
ven in the early days of the lord's ministry, Satan tempted Him,
E seeking to discourage His ministry.
luke 4:1 says, "And jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from
jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness." These steps of the
lord were not only planned but were directed by God's Spirit. There was
a purpose for the trial Christ went through.
The Bible goes on to say in luke 4:2, "Being forty days tempted of
the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended,
he afterward hungered." The lord had spent time in prayer and fasting,
seeking His Father's strength before facing the devil. The word tempted in
this verse means "to entice with evil." During a time of physical weakness,
Christ was enticed with evil.
But the lord did not give in to temptation! Rather than letting
the thought of sin linger, He replied to the devil's temptations with the
sure Word of God. Satan attacked the Lord three times, and all three
times, Christ answered him with Scripture. Jesus showed us how we can
have victory over the devil's temptations. We must be in God's Word and
memorizing Scriptures that will help us resist the devil.
What weakness do you have in your life? In what area do you
struggle? The only way you will have victory over the devil as he tempts
you is if you are in God's Word and diligently memorizing it. Take
whatever weakness you have and spend time searching for Scripture
dealing with it. Write out a few verses on a 3X5 card and carry it with you
today. Determine to commit these verses to memory so the next time the
devil tempts you in that area, you can answer his temptations with the
powerful Word of God.
In Times of Weakness
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
- I JOHN 2:!6
Wherever He Leads
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not
afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LoRD thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest.-]OSHUA 1:9
man who lived on Long Island in New York was able one day to
A satisfy a lifelong ambition by purchasing for himself a very fine
barometer. When the instrument arrived at his home, he was extremely
disappointed to find that the indicating needle appeared to be stuck,
pointing to the sector marked "HURRICANE:' After shaking the
barometer very vigorously several times, its new owner sat down and
wrote a scorching letter to the store from which he had purchased the
instrument. The following morning on the way to his office in New York,
he mailed the letter.
That evening he returned to Long Island to find not only the
barometer missing, but his house also. The barometer's needle had been
right-there had been a hurricane!
Sometimes we likewise fail to trust our "barometer" of God's
promises. When God promises that He is working all for good in our
lives, we look at the circumstances surrounding us and wrongly conclude
that God's promises are wrong.
God can be trusted. No matter what goes on in our lives or what
God asks us to do, we know that He is in control of it all. God has a
special plan for your life. When you trusted Christ as your Saviour, God
did not merely give you a place in Heaven, but He gave you a purpose on
earth as well! And He has promised to make everything in your life work
to accomplish that special purpose if you love Him.
The opposite of trust is fear, and fear is a self-imposed prison that
will keep you from becoming what God wants you to be. Do you fear
what you see around you? Do you fear your future? Don't let fear hinder
your obedience to God and your trust in Him. When fear of the unknown
enters your heart, remember that God is in control and you can trust His
plan for your life!
have never met any Christians who had as much strength and hope
I in God's promises in the face of adversity as the believers in China.
There are a few approved state churches there, but most people meet
secretly for church each week. They aren't allowed to buy property, gather
materials, and build a church building. They aren't allowed to worship
and witness openly.
We had the privilege of meeting with some underground house
churches. As the Chinese believers walked in, I watched them look around
for the cameras and security guards. I saw them dig deep into their bags
and uncover their Bibles.
After the service, I had the privilege of speaking with one man who
told me this story: Once the Communist soldiers came into his mother's
house where services were being held. They saw the two men at the front
who were holding the service, and they grabbed those men and took
them away. Nobody knew where they were. Even after being threatened
and seeing his friends taken away, he still risked his life to come to the
service that day.
I'm afraid too many of us would give up in the face of these trials.
We would throw in the towel and say it's too much for us to go on. Yet a
Christian who has faith in God's Word and His promises realizes there's
no need to be discouraged or afraid.
Are you facing a trial today? Do you ever feel weary and just want
to give up? When the difficult times come and the world is pulling you
away from God, turn to the Word of God. When you seek help from
God's Word during difficult times, you will be strengthened and given
new hope to keep pressing on for God and remaining faithful to Him.
Motivated to Serve
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for
an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.-GALATIANS 5:13
157
iv1av 9
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Be an Encourager
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that
which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the
hearers.- EPHESIANS 4:29
he Denver Post once reported: "Like many sheep ranchers in the West,
T Lexy Fowler has tried just about everything to stop crafty coyotes from
killing her sheep. She has used odor sprays, electric fences, and 'scare-
coyotes.' She has slept with her lambs during the summer and has placed
battery-operated radios near them. She has corralled them at night and
herded them during the day. But the southern Montana rancher has lost
scores oflambs-fifty last year alone. Then she discovered the llama-the
aggressive, funny-looking, afraid-of-nothing llama. 'Llamas don't appear
to be afraid of anything; she said. 'When they see something, they put
their heads up and walk straight toward it. That is aggressive behavior as
far as the coyote is concerned, and they won't have anything to do with
that ... Coyotes are opportunists, and llamas take that opportunity away."'
The llamas aren't afraid of coyotes and boldly oppose them. Even so,
Christians must be bold in resisting Satan's temptations. We can have this
boldness through the victory Jesus won on the Cross.
On the day of salvation, the victory over Satan was won, and our
old nature was put to death. You are no longer a servant of sin, but a
servant of Christ, who overcame sin.
Do you ever wonder how you can have victory over sin? The
minute you were saved, Satan lost his hold on your life. You are no longer
resigned to sin, but have a new life in Christ!
Yes, we all still sin because we are human, but we can have victory
over sin through Christ. When the devil tempts you, resist him through
the victory Jesus offers.
man asked Dr. Lee Roberson the key to the Christian life. Dr.
A Roberson answered, "Be filled with the Spirit and dead to self."
We are commanded by God to reckon ourselves dead to sin. The
word reckon means "to put to an account." To say that your old nature
is crucified is one thing, but to reckon it means to put Christ's victory
on the Cross to your account daily. Paul said it this way, "I die daily"
(1 Corinthians 15:31). Every day he died to the old nature and reckoned
himself alive in Christ.
We all reckon things, or set to an account and credit things every
day. For example, when we see a speed limit sign, we have a reckoning at
that moment. Some people reckon the speed limit to be higher than it is!
But we all reckon the speed limit. We also reckon the promises of God.
Either we believe God's promise that the victory over temptation is ours,
or we count God's promise as impractical and unrealistic.
It is more than a historical fact that the Lord paid for your sins
and won the victory over the devil; it is a truth you can apply to your
life today! You don't have to fall to Satan's temptations. You are a new
creation in Christ.
What sin do you need to reckon yourself dead to today? In what
area does Satan have a hold in your life? Friend, we are dead to sin-you
can have the victory over the devil's temptations! Satan no longer has
power over you, and you can resist him through the resources God has
given you. When you are dead to sin, you can live for God!
oses could have had a big position in Egypt. He was destined for
M wealth and fame as a ruler one day. But he chose to please God
rather than seek the world's pleasure. Hebrews 11:25 says, "Choosing rather
to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin
for a season." God was more important to him than anything else.
Daniel also faced the decision whether to follow God or man as
we see in Daniel1:8: "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not
defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which
he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might
not defile himself" Daniel decided he wasn't going to enjoy the food and
drink that had been offered to idols. He wasn't going to disobey God. He
chose to separate himself from the sinful acts of the people and follow
God's commands.
Just as Moses, Daniel, and many others who have faced the decision
to separate from sin, you will face the same decision as well. You will be
tempted to enjoy sin and take part in its pleasures. Sin is enjoyable for a
time, but it always comes with consequences.
God has eternal pleasures to offer you, but many times sin is more
desirable to our flesh. While we can see the "rewards" of following sin
right now, it is often difficult to see the spiritual rewards God offers. But
when you choose to follow God, He will open the windows of Heaven
and pour out blessings that far surpass the temporary joys of sin!
You are facing a choice today. Will you follow God and neglect
the pleasure of sin? God desires that you would see past the immediate
pleasures of sin and choose to enjoy the eternal joys of following Him.
When you are tempted today, ask God for the wisdom to see past the
pleasure of sin and choose to serve Him.
162
May 14
Honoring Moms
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he
praiseth her.- PROVERBS 31:28
There Is a Purpose
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him
glorify God on this behalf.-! PETER4:I6
avid, a small boy with leukemia, was being treated by Dr. John
D Truman who specialized in treating children with cancer and various
blood diseases. When he was three, David had to have a spinal tap-a
painful procedure at any age. It was explained to him that, because he
was sick, Dr. Truman had to do something to make him better. "If it hurts,
remember it's because he loves you:' his mother said. The procedure was
horrendous. It took three nurses to hold David still while he yelled and
sobbed and struggled. When it was almost over, the tiny boy, soaked in
sweat and tears, looked up at the doctor and gasped, "Thank you, Dr.
Tooman, for my hurting."
When we think of the reality of injustice, remember that bad things
sometimes happen to good people. The life of Job is a good example of
an injustice. He loved the Lord and was living for Him yet God chose to
allow the devil to persecute him.
The Bible says that sufferings and injustices will come, but that
we should rejoice during these times, knowing that Christ also faced
injustices when He was on earth.
The mature Christian doesn't become upset and emphasize his
rights when facing injustices, but rather sees God's hand working and
accepts the injustice. God uses these times to help us grow as believers.
Have you ever questioned why God brings trials into the lives
of seemingly good people? Maybe you have faced injustices and trials
when you were faithfully following God and seeking His will. God never
promises we won't face trials, but He does promise to help us through
them! Rather than questioning God's purpose during the trial, let the
trial draw you closer to God by spending time with Him and remaining
faithful during the trial.
A Tender Heart
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down
upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my
mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the
LoRD hath taken away: blessed be the name of the LoRD.-JOB I:20
M ost Christians are familiar with Romans 8:28, "And we know that all
things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to his purpose." Perhaps no man illustrates the truth
of Romans 8:28 as Job.
The early verses of Job tell us of his trials. His entire livelihood, his
flocks and herds, was destroyed in one day. In the same day, his ten sons
and daughters were killed. Job's response to these many tragedies was
one of worship.
Job's wife did not understand Job's faithfulness to God and she
encouraged him to deny God. His friends came and accused him of
bringing these calamities on himself by secret sin. Even though so many
people were turning against him, Job remained faithful to God.
Job had a tender heart. Even though he didn't understand what God
was doing in his life, he knew that God was in control, and he trusted God
to take care of him. As can be seen in the final chapter in Job, his faith was
not misplaced. In the end, God brought double blessings to Job.
When difficulties come our way, we easily become bitter and turn
from God. Even through the worst of trials, Job showed us that as we
remain faithful to God with a tender heart, He will bless us.
Do you have a tender heart toward God? Even though our human
nature wants to become angry or upset, we must remain tender and open
to God during tough times. Approach God with a tender heart right now
and ask Him to strengthen your faith.
A Revealed Heart
Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put
strength in me .... But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried
me, I shall come forth as gold.-]OB 23:6, 10
A Refined Heart
My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have
esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. But he
is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even
that he doeth. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and
many such things are with him.-]OB 23:II-I4
once read the story of two men who were walking through a field
I when they spotted an enraged bull. Instantly they darted toward the
nearest fence. The storming bull followed in hot pursuit, and it was soon
apparent they wouldn't make it. Terrified, the one shouted to the other,
"Put up a prayer, John. We're in for it!"
''All right," panted John, "I'll say the only prayer I know, the one
my father used to repeat at the table: '0 Lord, for what we are about to
receive, make us truly thankful."'
David had a thankful heart; he recognized the blessings of God on
his life, and he praised God for all He had done. Sadly, the only time
many Christians thank God for what they have is at a meal. God deserves
to be thanked and praised for everything we have! A heart for God is
shown through thankfulness.
David developed a heart for God by having a fixed heart. He fixed
his heart and his focus on the Lord and determined to follow Him for
the rest of his life.
Two other times in Psalms we see David showing his heart's focus
on God. Psalm 57:7 says, "My heart is fixed, 0 God, my heart is fixed: I will
sing and give praise." And Psalm 108:1 says, "0 God, my heart is fixed; I will
sing and give praise, even with my glory." David realized the importance of
fixing or focusing his heart on the Lord.
Do you have the heart for God we've looked at in Psalm 23? Focus
your heart on serving, loving, and knowing God more. Ask God to help
you develop a heart for Him today.
Creating a Monster
I am the LoRD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt,
out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
-EXODUS 20:2-3
our royal brothers each decided to master a special ability. Time went
F by, and the brothers met to reveal what they had learned. "I have
mastered a science;' said the first, "by which I can take but a bone of some
creature and create the flesh that goes with it." "I;' said the second, "know
how to grow that creature's skin and hair if there is flesh on its bones:'
The third said, "I am able to create its limbs if I have flesh, the skin, and
the hair." "And I;' concluded the fourth, "know how to give life to that
creature if its form is complete:'
Thereupon the brothers went into the jungle to find a bone so they
could demonstrate their specialties. The bone they found was a lion's.
One added flesh to the bone, the second added hide and hair, the third
completed it with matching limbs, and the fourth gave the lion life.
Shaking its mane, the ferocious beast arose and jumped on his creators.
He killed them all and vanished contentedly into the jungle.
Just as these brothers were destroyed by their creation, so the
creation of idols in our lives will destroy us. An idol is anything that keeps
us from God or turns our faith from God to man. It is what or who you
look to before you look to God.
What has come into your life that has distracted you from God?
A love for self? A desire to gather material possessions? Recreation or
sports? A relationship? The devil is subtle in drawing our attention away
from God. Ask God to show you any idols that have taken His place in
your life. Turn away from those things and set your trust back in God.
Nothing is more important in your life than your relationship with God.
He Is with You
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and
saith unto them, Peace be unto you.- LUKE 24:36
H ave you ever thought of climbing Mount Everest? God formed the
rocks and sits upon the vast mountain range. Ever dreamed of diving
into the depths of the oceans? God filled the oceans with water and takes
residence there as well. Ever wanted to explore the great Amazon jungles?
God handmade each leaf and plant and can be found there also! There is
no place on earth where God is not present-just ask Jonah!
Remember, God is in the midst of your trials. Have you lost a loved
one? God allowed this pain for a reason, and He is with you. Have you
faced financial hardship? God knows your struggle, and He wants to help
you through it. Have you felt as if your world was falling apart? God
planned your life, and He wants to help you through the trials you face.
There is no trial you face that God is not standing beside you, urging you
to turn to Him.
God has compassion on those who are hurting and struggling
through trials. Over fifteen hundred people saw the resurrected Christ.
These people were mostly weary and worried disciples who Christ visited
to strengthen their faith and encourage their hearts.
Even as Christ gave His presence to help comfort His disciples, so
He gives us Himself as well. When a person is born again, God's Spirit
takes residence in his or her life. Jesus promises, "I will never leave thee,
nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). Christ emphasized this point the day He
arose from the grave. Not even death could conquer our Lord and keep
Him from being with us\
Are you in a difficult time? Is it hard to see any sign of hope?
Christian, do not forget that God has promised to be with you always!
Claim His promise, and live today as if God is standing next to you the
entire time-for He is!
Stop to Wash
Create in me a clean heart, 0 God; and renew a right spirit within me.
-PSALM 51:10
n 1818, Ignaz Phillip Semmelweis was born into a world of dying women.
I The finest hospitals lost one out of six young mothers to the scourge
of "childbed fever." A doctor's daily routine began in the dissecting
room where he performed autopsies. From there he made his way to
the hospital to examine expectant mothers without ever pausing to wash
his hands. Dr. Semmelweis was the first man in history to associate such
examinations with the resultant infection and death.
After eleven years and the delivery of 8,537 babies, Dr. Semmelweis
lost only 184 mothers. He spent the vigor of his life lecturing and
debating with his colleagues. Once he argued, "Puerperal fever is caused
by decomposed material, conveyed to a wound .. .I have shown how it
can be prevented. I have proved all that I have said. But while we talk,
talk, talk, gentlemen, women are dying. I am not asking anything world
shaking. I am asking you only to wash ... wash your hands."
But virtually no one believed him. Doctors and midwives had
been delivering babies for thousands of years without washing, and no
outspoken Hungarian was going to change them now! Semmelweis died
insane at the age of 47, his wash basins discarded, his colleagues laughing
in his face, and the death rattle of a thousand women ringing in his ears.
How often do you wash your hands? How often do you wash your
heart? We all collect "dirt" in our hearts each day. Whether it's through
willful sinning or just by living in our imperfect world, there are things
we see, hear, or do that are not pleasing to God. Going on about our
lives without stopping to clean our hearts from these things will harm
us spiritually!
As a Christian, you need to spend some time alone with God and
ask God to create a clean heart in you. When you take time to wash your
heart, God can better fill you and use you for His glory.
ohn the Baptist was so mysterious in his ways that the religious leaders
J of his day came to him, asking who he was. They wanted to put a label
on him so they could put him on a shelf in their theological cellar. They
wanted to be able to write him off as just another religious fanatic. He
was a man who didn't identify with the world but with God.
When you live your life for Christ, there will be opposition. Some
will write you off as another "Christian" or as just another nut. People
today see those who have claimed the name of Christ and fallen into
sin, and they try to classify all believers as phonies. But, when you are
living for God and your testimony matches up with the witness you are
proclaiming, God will bless your efforts! Do not be discouraged when
people reject your message; trust that God is still working through
your life!
A young salesman became discouraged because he had been rejected
by so many customers he approached. He asked a more experienced
salesman for some advice. "Why is it that every time I make a call on
someone I get rejected?"
"I just don't understand that," answered the older salesman. ''I've
been hit on the head, called dirty names, and thrown out the door, but
I've never been rejected:'
Rejection isn't what happens to us but how we interpret what
happens to us. When others refuse our witness or reject Christ, they
are not rejecting us but the Lord. It can be easy to become discouraged
during these times, but don't give up. Recognize the great need others
have for God's Word, and determine to continue witnessing. God will
bless your efforts.
ANeighbor inNeed
The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water
is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another
steppeth down before me.-]OHN 5:7
Don't Give Up
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked
shall fall into mischief-PROVERBS 24:16
Rooted in Christ
As ye have therefore received Christ jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been
taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.-COLOSSIANS 2:6-7
Having Patience
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
-GALATIANS 5:22-23
wish we all could be a little more like the boy standing at the end of
I the escalator. The sales lady asked, "Son, are you lost?" He replied, "No
ma'am, I'm waiting for my chewing gum to come back."
One of the fruits of the Spirit is longsuffering. The Greek word for
longsuffering is made up of the two words makro, meaning "slow;' and
thumos, meaning "thunder." God desires that we would be slow to anger
and have the characteristic of patience in our lives.
We live in a day of impatience and quick retribution. On the news
there are often stories of road rage, impatient grocery store customers,
and retaliation. Our society has taught us that when we are wronged, we
must take revenge. But God desires that we would have patience and
forgive others when we are hurt.
The fruit of longsuffering is not developed through self-
determination but by the Holy Spirit. Only God can give us the patience
we need. We must look to Him when we are wronged or are going
through a trying time. If we desire to have patience, we must be walking
in the Spirit and fellowshipping with God each day.
To obtain patience, we must spend time with God and walk in the
Spirit. Patience is an attribute of God. Exodus 34:6 says, ''And the LoRD
passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LoRD God, merciful
and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth." We could
all use more patience, and the only way we can take on that attribute of
God is by spending time with Him.
Are you patient even when things do not go your way? Seek God's
help right now and ask Him for patience. As we daily walk with Him, we
will be able to have patience in our lives.
A Thankful Heart
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you.-1 THESSALONIANS 5:18
Our Catcher
.. . they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.- ISAIAH 49:23
Sacrifice
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness
of sins:- COLOSSIANS 1:14
T he sun had just risen on a hot August day in 1944, in the small village
of Plelo, in German-occupied France. The fifteen-year-old boy did
not know why he and the other citizens of Plelo had been lined up before
a firing squad in the town square. Perhaps they were being punished
for harboring a unit of Marquisards, the French underground freedom
fighters. All the boy knew was that he was about to die.
Suddenly, the boy heard the sound of exploding mortar shells
beyond the limits of his little village. Soon rolling tanks could also be
heard. The Germans were forced to abandon the firing squad and face a
small unit of U.S. tanks with twenty Gls led by Bob Hamsley, a corporal
in Patton's Third Army. After three hours, fifty Nazis were dead, and the
other fifty were taken prisoner.
Forty-six years later, the town of Plelo honored Bob Hamsley on
the very spot where dozens of the town's citizens would have died if not
for him. The man who initiated the search for Hamsley to honor him
was the former mayor of Plelo, that same fifteen-year-old boy. He was
grateful for Hamsley who had risked his own life to save his and many
others' and as a grown man determined to find and honor him.
When you are thankful for what someone has done for you, you
will desire to express your gratitude to them. Years ago, a much greater
sacrifice was made willingly for you. Are you thankful for what Christ
did for you on Calvary? How often do you thank Him for being mocked,
rejected, spat upon, beaten, and nailed to a cross for your sake-in
your place?
Think today of the sacrifice Christ made for you and the eternal
benefits you will reap because of it. The more we reflect upon Christ's
sacrifice for us, the more we will look for ways to express our gratitude
to Him.
Whatever He Says, Do It
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you,
do it.-]OHN 2:5
T hese water pots had already been used for the ceremony of washing
the feet of the guests. (It was customary for the host of the gathering
to wash the feet of the guests so as to remove the dirt that accumulated
after traveling.) Yet our Lord commanded for these vessels to be gathered
and filled with water so He could work a miracle through them.
God had a lesson in those old water pots. While the servers and
others around Him didn't even consider the used vessels, God used them
to carry out His plan. You may count yourself useless to God. Rather than
questioning whether God can use you or not, simply obey Him.
Jesus' command to fill the pots with water required the faith and
obedience of the servers. Had they not obeyed His command, there
would have been no miracle! Sometimes the only thing hindering God
from working the miraculous in our lives is our lack of obedience.
There will be times in your life when you need God to work a
miracle, and He will tell you to obey Him. You may think, "Lord, you
don't understand. I don't need just to go to church. I need help financially.
I don't need just to read the Bible. I need a miracle for my children:'
But while you may be looking for an instant miracle, God requires
simple obedience.
Have you been fervently praying for God to work in your life but
have not seen any results? Take a look at your life. Are you spending time
in God's Word, being faithful to His church, and obeying the commands
He has already given you in His Word? God desires to bless you and work
a miracle through your circumstance, but He requires that you obey
Him first.
He Created It All
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made
that was made.-]OHN 1:3
ritish statesman and financier Cecil Rhodes, whose fortune was used
B to endow the world-famous Rhodes Scholarships, was a stickler
for correct dress-but apparently not at the expense of someone else's
feelings. A young man invited to dine with Rhodes arrived by train and
had to go directly to Rhodes' home in his travel-stained clothes. Once
there he was appalled to find the other guests already assembled, wearing
full evening dress. After what seemed a long time Rhodes appeared, in a
shabby old blue suit. Later the young man learned that his host had been
dressed in evening clothes, but put on the old suit when he heard of his
young guest's dilemma.
Rather than pointing out this man's discomfort, Mr. Rhodes made
the man feel at ease. Have you ever been around someone with this type
of kind, agreeable spirit? Just being around them brings a joy and a
refreshing to your soul. But it's even better when you are that person!
It's not always easy to be agreeable. We all face difficult times and
have to deal with difficult people, but that doesn't mean we have an
excuse to be unkind or bitter! God desires that we would have sweet and
agreeable spirits at all times.
While others look to tear down, we should look to build others
up with our words. While some spread gossip, we should be diligent to
spread truth. Life is too short to be caught up in an unkind spirit and
hurtful words! Use the breath and the words you have to honor God and
uplift His name.
Are you known as being an encourager, always smiling and ready
to give a kind word? Or do people know you for your sarcastic, cutting
words? As Christians, we should be known for our sincere love and care
for others. Use your words to edify and uplift others today.
Don'tRush1
Wait on the LORD: be ofgood courage, and he shall strengthen thine
heart: wait, I say, on the LoRD.-PSALM 27:14
A Spirit-filled Christian
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with
the Spirit;- EPHESIANS s:r8
T wo college boys were trying to smuggle the school mascot, a goat, into
their dorm. As they entered the dorm, one stopped and said to the
other, "What about the smell?" The other boy replied, "Well, he'll just
have to get used to it!"
Unfortunately, we easily "get used to the smell" of the sin around
us. But the fact that Christ lives in every Christian is not just a Sunday
principle; it is a twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week reality! We
must seek to be spirit-filled Christians all week long.
Everyone who is saved receives the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). He
guides us, protects us, and convicts us when we are wrong. If we are to be
spirit-filled Christians, we must make three choices each day.
First, we must choose to be completely committed to God. Many
years ago a group of preachers was trying to decide whom to invite to
speak at an upcoming revival meeting. One older preacher suggested the
evangelist D.L. Moody. A younger and more naive preacher commented,
"Why do we have to invite Mr. Moody? Does he have a monopoly on the
Holy Spirit?" The older preacher replied, "No, but the Holy Spirit has a
monopoly on him:' We must be completely committed to our Lord if we
desire to be spirit-filled Christians.
Second, we must continually choose to submit to God. We cannot
be spirit-filled Christians if we are fighting against His will for our lives!
Finally, we must choose to accept the power of the Holy Spirit. The
Holy Spirit already lives in us and has offered us His power each day. We
must claim that power and live in it!
Are you struggling with temptations or difficulties? God offers you
the power of the Holy Spirit to live for Him! Choose to be completely
committed to Christ, yield your life to Him, and accept His power in
your life.
hile in China, I had the opportunity to visit the Great Wall. I was
W amazed by its size and awed to think of the immense amount
of money and labor invested to build it. When first built, it seemed
impregnable. Yet the wall was penetrated-not by breaking it down, but
by bribing the general who kept the gate.
Did you know you have an adversary today? And, like the enemy to
the ancient Chinese, he looks for every opportunity to gain entrance into
your life. Every step you take in the Christian faith will be challenged.
Since the beginning of time, Satan has done everything he could
to keep God's children from having the joy of walking with Him and
enjoying His fellowship. As you read the Bible, you can see story after
story of people the devil tempted and fought. But Christ assures us in
Romans 8:37 that we can have the victory through Him: "Nay, in all these
things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
So often we hear stories of Christians who were living for God, but
somewhere in life, the devil worked his way into their lives. Friend, none
of us are above falling into temptation! The devil knows our weaknesses
and has pinpointed our vulnerabilities. The only way we are going to
remain faithful to God and to live for Him is if we constantly seek God's
help and protection each day.
Are you daily seeking God's protection? Do you ask Him for
strength to resist the devil's temptations? We must be diligent in resisting
the devil's attacks! Satan never takes a vacation or a sick day in tempting
us. Ask God to give you the strength you need to face the devil today and
resist his temptations. We will only be able to remain faithful as we are
spending time on our knees before we face each day.
A s you journey through your Christian life, God wants you to become
more like Him each day. That doesn't mean He expects you to be
perfect, for none of us will ever be perfect like Christ until we get to
Heaven. But God desires that you mature spiritually and grow each day
to become more like Him.
How do you become more like Christ? How do you conform your
imperfect sin nature to His holiness? Romans 12:2 says, ''And be not
conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will
of God." You conform yourself to Christ by renewing your mind through
spending time with Him.
The more time you spend with someone, the more you become
like them. Think of your best friends or perhaps a close family member.
Have you noticed that you begin to talk, act, and think more like them
the longer you are around them? So it is with God. The more time you
spend with Him through Bible reading, memorization, prayer, listening
to godly music, and taking time to be with Him, the more you will be
like Him.
So how much time are you spending with God? If you desire to
become more like Christ, you must make time each day to be with the
Lord. Plan a time right now when you can be alone with God. Spend time
reading your Bible and talking with Him in a quiet place in your house.
Let God be a part of your every day, and allow Him to conform you to
the image of His Son each day.
Forgiveness
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.- I JOHN 1:9
little boy who was visiting his grandparents was given his first
A slingshot. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit his target.
As he came back to his grandma's backyard, he spied her pet duck. On an
impulse he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck fell dead.
The boy panicked. Desperately he hid the dead duck in the woodpile,
only to look up and see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she
said nothing. After lunch that day, his grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the
dishes." But Sally said, "Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen
today. Didn't you, Johnny?" And she whispered to him, "Remember the
duck!" So Johnny did the dishes.
After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he
couldn't stand it anymore. He confessed to his grandma that he'd killed
the duck. "I know, Johnny;' she said, giving him a hug. "I was standing at
the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. I
wondered how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."
This is how the Christian life sometimes is. We sin against God and
then try to hide it by not confessing it to Him. We live as slaves to sin and
to the devil the whole time. But God already knows our sins and paid for
them when He died on the Cross.
As His children, God wants us to come to Him and confess our sins.
God loves us and because He loves us, He forgives us, but we must first
come to Him and ask for forgiveness.
We, who so often sin against God, should also remember to show
the love of Christ to those who have wronged us and forgive them. Who
do you need to forgive today? Take time today to thank God for forgiving
your sins!
Your testimony is seen by others every day. It's who you are, what
you do, and why you exist. And whether you realize it or not, people are
judging God and Christianity based on you. So how can you live for God
even when it's not easy?
When you are truly saved, everyone should see it. People should
recognize the difference in you and should realize you are not the same.
You should be different in your actions, countenance, and interests, and
others should see God's hand upon your life.
Can others see a difference between the way you were before you
were saved and the way you are now? God called you out from the world
so you could be a light to the world. Share His Gospel with others through
your testimony today!
ALifeofJoy
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him,
because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and
for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
- I SAMUEL 30:6
A Resilient Joy
.. . the joy of the LORD is your strength.- NEHEMIAH 8:10
I Hear You
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of
our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without
sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne ofgrace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.-HEBREWS 4:15-16
hortly after September n, 2001, the President of the United States went
S to Ground Zero in New York City. Standing atop some of the rubble
with a megaphone in his hand, he spoke to the people and the rescue
workers present. There was a lot of noise in the background, and some
of the spectators from the other side of the crowd must have been saying,
"We can't hear you." The President lifted the megaphone to his mouth and
said, "You can't hear me, but I can hear you."
What an encouragement it must have been to those workers and the
people mourning to know that the Commander-in-Chief heard them-
he came to where they were, among the rubble, ashes, and debris. Even
when there was pain, difficulty, and loss, the President left his place of
safety and comfort and went to those in need.
Something much greater than that took place when Jesus Christ, the
Son of God, took on Himself the form of a man and came personally
to this world to show us the love of God. He chose to experience the
situations we have in life today. What a comfort to know that no matter
what you are going through, Christ hears and knows your pain. He was
betrayed by friends, mocked and laughed at, treated wrongfully, accused
falsely, rejected and despised, and today He tells you that He knows just
howyoufeel.
What are you going through today? Are you going through a financial
crisis? Are you having difficulty knowing God's will? Are you facing a
problem you cannot resolve? Whatever fears, doubts, uncertainties, or
struggles you have, our Lord has felt. He offers you mercy and grace in
your time of need. Come boldly and request it.
Spiritual Freedom
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever
committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the
house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make
you free, ye shall be free indeed.-JOHN 8:34-36
ince the end ofWorld War II, Americans have lived without the concern
S of having their freedom challenged. On September n, 2001, we were
all reminded that freedom is not something to take for granted. Most of
our lives have been affected in some form or another by this tragedy.
Americans have always been a people who valued freedom. While
Americans have enjoyed physical freedom for much of their lives, many
Americans (as well as people all around the world) have never enjoyed
spiritual freedom.
John 8:32 says, ''And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make
you free." Jesus did not come to this world to bring physical freedom.
He knew that men could live in the freest land in the world and still
be enslaved to hurt, anger, and sin. He came to show us how to have
spiritual freedom through the truth of the Gospel.
People all around the world are living in spiritual bonds because
they have not accepted the truth of Christ. The truth is that Christ came
to die on the Cross and set us free from the bonds of sin. But we must
accept Him before we can experience this spiritual freedom.
Have you accepted Christ as your Saviour? If not, ask Him to save
you today and let Him set you free from the bonds of sin. If you have
accepted Christ, are you telling others of Christ's spiritual freedom?
Christ offers spiritual freedom to all who will call upon His name! Let
those around you know of the freedom Christ offers them today!
few years ago, my family and I had the opportunity to visit the farm
A of Patrick Henry at Red Hill. We saw his tombstone, as well as those
of several of his family members. In Patrick Henry's will he wrote, "There
is one more thing I wish I could leave you all: the salvation of Jesus Christ.
With this, though you had nothing else, you could be happy. Without this,
though you had all things, you could never be happy:'
Without salvation through Christ, we can never experience the true
joy of spiritual freedom. Christ paid a high price for us to be redeemed
from our sins, and He gives us freedom from sin. We can have this freedom
through God's grace by stepping out in faith to trust Him.
Grace has been defined as "the freely given, unmerited favor and love
of God:' We do not deserve this freedom, yet God offers it to all through
belief in His Son. What an awesome God we have! We do not have to
go through life wondering about our eternity, but we can know we have
eternal life through Him.
We also have this freedom by faith. When we trust God in faith and
turn from our sins, we can receive Christ's gift of spiritual freedom. Only
through faith in Christ can we obtain freedom from sin.
Are you telling others that they can have this special gift? As
Christians, we must tell others that Christ is the way to spiritual freedom.
He has offered this gift to everyone, and we must tell them! Ask God to
give you the boldness to tell others of His gift. Also, take a moment to
thank God for the sacrifice He made so many years ago and for how He
still works in our lives today!
argaret Wilson was a young Scottish girl who was martyred in the
M early 168os for her faith. At the age of eighteen, she was tied to
a stake where the tide was due to come in. The water covered her, but
before her life was gone, they pulled her up until she recovered the power
of speech. She was then asked by Major Win dram, who was in command,
if she would pray for the king. She replied that she "wished the salvation
of all men, and the damnation of none:'
"Dear Margaret;' said one of the by-standers, deeply affected, "say
'God save the king."' She answered with great steadiness, "God save him,
if He will, for it is his salvation I desire.""Sir," they cried to the major, "she
has said it; she has said it!"
The major offered her the abjuration oath charging her instantly to
swear it, otherwise to return to the water. The poor young woman firmly
replied, "I will not; I am one of Christ's children! Let me go." Upon which
she was again thrust into the water, and drowned.
Throughout history there have been Christian men, women, and
children martyred for Christ. Most of them had a chance to escape death
by recanting their faith. Yet they chose death for Christ rather than the
ease of living and denying Him.
While most of us aren't facing death today, we do face struggles and
temptations. These situations are difficult, but like the martyrs, we can't
turn back. After all God has endured for us, how can we give up when
things get a little difficult?
What are you facing today that is difficult? Whatever the difficulty
is in your life, don't quit. The next time a trial comes into your life, seek
God's help through prayer. Then read Foxe's Book of Martyrs by John
Foxe. Realize that just as others have come through trials, you can too
with God's help.
Staying Close
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
-PSALM II9:I05
n the fall of the year, Linda, a young woman, was traveling alone up the
I rutted and rugged highway from Alberta to the Yukon. Linda didn't
know you don't travel to Whitehorse alone in a rundown Honda Civic,
so she set off where only four-wheel drives normally venture. The first
evening she found a room in the mountains near the summit and asked for
a 5 AM wakeup call so she could get an early start. She couldn't understand
why the clerk looked surprised at that request, but as she awoke to early-
morning fog shrouding the mountain tops, she understood. Not wanting
to look foolish, she got up and went to breakfast.
At breakfast, two truckers asked Linda where she was headed.
"Whitehorse." "In that little Civic? No way! This pass is dangerous in
weather like this." "Well, I'm determined to try;' was Linda's gutsy, if not
very informed, response. "Then I guess we're just going to have to hug
you," the trucker suggested. Linda drew back. "There's no way I'm going
to let you touch me!" "Not like THAT!" the truckers chuckled. "We'll put
one truck in front of you and one in the rear. In that way, we'll get you
through the mountains." All that foggy morning Linda followed the two
red dots in front of her and had the reassurance of a big escort behind as
they made their way safely through the mountains.
Linda was able to make her way safely through the fog because she
trusted the truckers and stayed close to them. During treacherous times
in our lives, the only way we will survive is by trusting the Lord and
staying close to His Word.
Are you facing a trial today? Perhaps fog is hiding the path of life
from you and you don't know which way to go. God gives you the answer
for trials-stay close to Him. Allow Him to guide you through the stormy
path, and trust His Word for comfort and guidance.
A Joyful Priority
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according
to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous,
and then thou shalt have good success.-JOSHUA 1:8
Useless?
I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee
and to me.- PHILEMON 10-II
T he African impala can jump to a height of over ten feet and cover a
distance of greater than thirty feet. Yet these magnificent creatures
can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a three-foot wall. The animals
will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall.
Faith is leaping when you can't see where you're going to land. It is
taking action based on the unseen fulfillment of God's promises.
Abraham was a man of faith. God called him out of his hometown of
Ur to a land God would later reveal to him. The word call in Hebrews n:8
means "to invite." And the word obey means "to submit." Abraham
submitted to the invitation of God
Abraham believed God when he did not know where, when, how, or
why. It was faith in God's Word that made Abraham leave his home, live
as a pilgrim, and follow God wherever He led. He was willing to sacrifice
his hopes, dreams, and plans in order to follow God. Abraham had faith
that God would lead him.
God will sometimes ask you to follow Him down paths you do not
understand. Do not be afraid of stepping out by faith. God won't always
show you the outcome before He requires you to trust Him.
Are you living by faith today or are you living like the African impala,
caged in by fear of the unknown? God desires that you would trust Him
with each new step you take in your Christian life. He knows what's best
for you, so trust Him even when you can't see the ending.
Come unto Me
And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched
him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.-! KINGS 19:5
A Humble Servant
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
-MATTHEW 23:II
once read this story about an author's first pet experience with his
I children: "At their school carnival, our kids won four free goldfish
(lucky us!), so out I went Saturday morning to find an aquarium. The
first few I priced ranged from $40 to $70. Then I spotted it-right in
the aisle: a discarded 10-gallon display tank, complete with gravel and
filter-for a mere five bucks. Sold! Of course, it was nasty dirty, but the
savings made the two hours of clean-up a breeze.
"Those four new fish looked great in their new home, at least for
the first day. But by Sunday one had died. Too bad, but three remained.
Monday morning revealed a second casualty, and by Monday night a
third goldfish had gone belly up. We called in an expert, a member of
our church who has a 30-gallon tank. It didn't take him long to discover
the problem: I had washed the tank with soap, an absolute no-no. My
uninformed efforts had destroyed the very lives I was trying to protect."
While he had the best intentions with trying to clean out the
tank, the author had a harmful substance that eventually killed the fish.
Sometimes we dabble in "harmful substances" such as anger, bitterness,
revenge, and other sins that kill our spiritual lives.
Sin is nothing with which to experiment. It is a powerful tool in the
devil's arsenal of spiritually harmful devices. Even holding on to a "little"
sin will prove to be spiritually fatal.
What "little" sin are you entertaining in your life? Remember that
even a little leaven can leaven the whole lump. While it may seem little
to you, God sees it as a spiritual infection that is harmful. Put away the
little sins that are in your life and give your heart wholly to Christ. Only
when you are wholly His without sinful distractions can He fill and use
you for His glory.
Listen Up
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your
own selves.-]AMES 1:22
A Christian Leader
And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool,
after he had made it a molten calf" and they said, These be thy gods, 0
Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron
saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and
said, To morrow is a feast to the LoRv.-Exoous 32:4-5
n old Indian legend is told about a young boy who hiked a tall rugged
A mountain, capped with dazzling snow. When he reached the top he
stood on the rim of the world. He could see forever, and his heart swelled
with pride. Then he heard a rustle at his feet, and looking down, he saw a
snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke.
"I am about to die;' said the snake. "It's too cold for me up here, and
I'm freezing. There's no food, and I'm starving. Put me under your shirt
and take me down to the valley." "No;' said the youth. "I am forewarned. I
know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite, and
your bite will kill me." "Not so:' said the snake. "I will treat you differently.
If you do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm you:'
At last the youth tucked the snake under his shirt and carried it
down to the valley. There he laid it gently on the grass, when suddenly the
snake coiled and leapt, biting him on the leg. "But you promised..." cried
out the youth in pain. "You knew what I was when you picked me up," the
snake said as it slithered away.
The boy knew the danger of touching the snake, yet he gave in to
the temptation. The devil is so subtle in his temptations that sometimes
it can seem harmless, but the results are painful.
My mom used to say, "Son, if you don't want a rotten apple, then
stay out of the devil's orchard:' She taught me that nearness is likeness.
If I hung around the wrong crowd, my spiritual walk with God would
be damaged.
Have you given in to temptation? Next time the devil comes
around, resist him through God's strength and claim the victory Christ
offers you.
Stressed Out?
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and carne to him, and
said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?
bid her therefore that she help me.-LUKE 10:40
Founded on Truth
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will
liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the
rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon
that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
-MATTHEW 7:24-25
.L. Moody told the story about a Christian woman who was always
D bright, cheerful, and optimistic, even though she was confined to
her room because of illness. She lived in an attic apartment on the fifth
floor of an old, rundown building. A friend decided to visit her one day
and brought along another woman-a person of great wealth. Since
there was no elevator, the two ladies began the long climb upward.
When they reached the second floor, the well-to-do woman
commented, "What a dark and filthy place!" Her friend replied, "It's
better higher up." When they arrived at the third landing, the remark was
made, "Things look even worse here." Again the reply, "It's better higher
up:' The two women finally reached the attic level, where they found
the bedridden saint of God. A smile on her face radiated the joy that
filled her heart. Although the room was clean and flowers were on the
window sill, the wealthy visitor could not get over the stark surroundings
in which this woman lived. She blurted out, "It must be very difficult
for you to be here like this!" Without a moment's hesitation the shut-in
responded, "It's better higher up."
While the old woman could have focused on her suffering, she
realized that her pain was temporary and that one day she'd be in Heaven
where things were better. Similarly, if we are to endure suffering and
remain faithful to God, we must remember that our trials and pains are
only temporary.
Are you rejoicing in your time of adversity? The way to overcome
adversity and to have joy in times of suffering is by looking to the Cross
for strength. Spend time reflecting on Christ's suffering today, and choose
to rejoice in what He has done for you.
Judge Not
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye
shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to
you again.-MATTHEW 7:1-2
241
July 29
Don't Be Ashamed
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him
glorify God on this behalf-! PETER4:I6
A Faithful Sower
For we are labourers together with God .. .- I CORINTHIANS 3:9
n the Parable of the Sower (Matthew13), Christ likens His Word to seed,
I and He likens the hearts of those who hear His Word to soil. Seed can
be planted anywhere, but it will only grow strong roots, develop healthy
plants, and produce abundant harvest in fertile soil.
God has commissioned us as His laborers to plant the seed of the
Gospel in the hearts of the lost. Not everyone will readily receive the
Gospel message. Some hearts are hard, like some soil, and reject or ignore
the seed of the Gospel. Other hearts are shallow, like soil with rock just
beneath the surface. Other hearts are easily distracted from spiritual
truth, like soil that grows weeds. Some hearts, however, are receptive and
ready to hear and respond to the truth of the Gospel.
The fruit of the seeds varies in quantity because of the quality
of the soil in which they are sown. As God's field laborers, we are not
responsible for the response of those to whom we witness. God is the
one who works in hearts to bring others to know Him. We are simply
responsible to faithfully plant the seed.
Have you ever become discouraged because of the results of your
witnessing? Have you prayed for, labored over, and diligently witnessed
to someone only to see them reject God's Word? Sometimes you will be
the first to sow in one's heart, other times you may help water and soften
hearts, and sometimes God will allow you to see the harvest of a lost
soul come to Him. Sometimes you may even miscalculate the type of soil
one's heart represents-only to see them readily respond to the Gospel.
Regardless of the immediate, visible results, be faithful to plant the
seed of God's Word in the hearts of the lost today. The more seed you
plant, the greater the harvest will be!
PsALMS 51 53 * RoMANs 2
July 31
udges 7 shows how Gideon trusted God, went into battle against the
J Midianites, and achieved a great victory through the Lord's power. Yet
on the heels of such a great miracle, Gideon was criticized. The men of
Ephraim were upset that Gideon had not called them to do battle. They
questioned his decision and argued his command.
I once read a helpful article on the subject of criticism that offered
these four suggestions:
1. Commit the matter instantly to God, asking Him to remove all
resentment or counter-criticism on your part and teach you the
needed lessons.
2. Remember that we are all great sinners, and that the one who
has criticized us does not begin to know the worst about us.
3. If you have made a mistake or committed a sin, humbly and
frankly confess it to God and to anyone you may have injured.
Even if the criticism is not given with the right motivation or in
the right spirit, you can learn from it.
4. Be willing to learn afresh that you are not infallible and that you
need God's grace and wisdom every moment of the day to keep
on the straight path.
Criticism is going to come into all our lives. Are you facing some
sort of criticism in your life today? Maybe you make a great sacrifice for
God or you serve Him tirelessly, yet it seems as if someone always points
out the small, petty things that were wrong. Do not be discouraged when
you are criticized. Instead, take the four points above and apply them to
your life. Then pray and ask God to help you remain faithful in spite of
the criticism of others. Die to self today so that criticism will not have the
wrong effect in your life.
Integrity
judge me, 0 LoRD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also
in the LoRD; therefore I shall not slide.-PSALM 26:1
Walking in Humility
... be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace
to the humble.- I PETER 5:5
Don't Forget1
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came
unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and
certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the
sepulchre.-LUKE 24:1-2
will never forget visiting the Garden Tomb in Israel. I tried to imagine
I what Mary Magdalene was thinking as she walked to the tomb early
that Sunday morning. With Calvary fresh on her mind, her heart must
have been filled with sorrow. She had loved Him and was hurt deeply by
this loss.
Like so many others, Christ had set Mary free from Satan's rule.
The fear and torment were gone, but now she faced a life of fear and
uncertainty without the Saviour. When Mary approached the tomb and
found it empty, she thought someone had stolen His body.
Remember that the Lord had foretold His resurrection and had
promised His victory over death. He had discussed many times with the
disciples His death, burial, and resurrection. Yet when it happened, Mary
and others did not remember His prophecy.
Sometimes when sorrow fills your heart and when fear comes over
you, you can forget what God says. You can forget what you read in your
Bible or what God has promised you. One of the scariest things a pastor
can do after church is ask his children what the sermon was about. It can
be humbling indeed! But we are all prone to forget God's truths at times.
God has promised in Hebrews 13:5, "I will never leave thee, nor
forsake thee." It is easy to hear that promise and believe it now, but in the
midst of trials, your reasoning and understanding can become confused.
Are you going through a trial or difficulty? God has promised to be with
you and to provide for you! Don't forget God's promises as you live for
Him today.
Fear Not
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they
said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here,
but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men,
and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his
words.-LUKE 24:5-8
e all face fears. Some people are afraid of heights, some are afraid
W of snakes, and some are afraid of dying. We aren't the only ones
who often have fears. The women who journeyed to Christ's tomb felt
fear and sorrow as well. But their journey of fear and sorrow became a
time of rejoicing the morning they arrived at the tomb. Once they saw
that stone had been rolled away and realized Christ was alive, their fear
turned to joy.
Our fears and worries can be turned to joy when we look to Christ
and remember His promises. When we realize the truth of God's Word
and apply it to our lives, sorrowful days will turn into joyful days.
Christians often focus so much on their fear that they fail to see
God. But a time of fear is the time you need God the most! He's the only
one who can help you through your fear.
When the women at the tomb remembered the words of Jesus, their
fears were relieved. They realized God had conquered death, and He was
still alive! They had hope. They could face the future, knowing their Lord
and Saviour was there to help them.
Even so, when you spend time in God's Word and remember the
words of Christ, your fears will be relieved.
Do you find yourself fearing about the future or about some event
in your life? Maybe it's finances, the economy, or a work situation. God
has everything under control. Spend time with Him now and shift your
focus from your problem to the Problem-solver.
And Peter
But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into
Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.- MARK 16:7
Y ou may recall that even after following Christ faithfully for years, Peter
denied the Lord. After seeing His trial, death, and burial, Peter became
discouraged and turned away from God. He simply said, "I go a-fishing."
Many people face discouragement like Peter. Trying times can enter
Christians' lives and rather than seeking out the promises of God, they
fall away from God and become discouraged. They lose faith and hope
in the Lord.
We all have failed in our witness or our relationship with the Lord.
But God's mercy is everlasting. His grace for you is abundant. No matter
what you have done or what you have been through, He is ready and
willing to forgive you.
Notice Jesus' care for Peter in our verse today, especially seen in
the words "and Peter." After Jesus rose from the dead, He said, "Go tell
all the disciples, and by the way, don't forget to tell Peter. I know he's
discouraged. I know he blew it. I know he's out there fishing somewhere,
but go get Peter and tell him that I still love him; I still want to see him
and have fellowship with him:'
It doesn't matter what you've done today, God still loves you. When
the devil tells you God can't use you anymore, don't believe him! God
is not done with you and will always give you His mercy, grace, and
forgiveness when you fall. Never turn your back on God because you
think He cannot forgive your sin. He can, and He will.
Have you neglected to seek God's forgiveness for a sin you thought He
wouldn't forgive? Have you fallen away from God? It doesn't matter what
the sin is; what matters is that you turn to God for forgiveness. Seek His
mercy today, and let Him transform your life through His forgiveness.
He Will Hear
The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their
mouths.-PSALM 135:15-17
remember a few years ago visiting the country of Costa Rica with the
I senior class from our high school. As we were driving through a city
one day, I saw a group of people headed into a very large building. I
stopped the bus driver, and we all got out and went to see where they
were going. It was the Basillica, a Catholic church.
The ground was very rough and the stones sharp and jagged. Yet
many of the people were crawling on their hands and knees to the statue
of Mary as if to gain her attention before they sought her help. Many of
these people had bloodied hands and knees, but they continued in their
search to find help from their god. It broke my heart to see so many
people looking for help, but not finding it. Thankfully, we were able to
point them to the true Source of help in Jesus Christ and several did
come to know Him.
There are many false gods in our world, but none of them can hear
and answer the prayers of their followers. Only God Almighty can help
in time of need, and He promises that as we turn to Him, He will hear
our prayers.
In order for God to hear you, however, you must be speaking. When
was the last time you longed for help so much that you poured your heart
out to God? Have you ever had a burden so heavy you sought God in
tears? God has promised to hear your cry for help, but you must pray.
Cry out to Him. As a loving Father, He wants you to come to Him and
seek His help today.
erhaps you have heard of the gossiping church member who became
P convicted of her habit. The main target of her frequent rumors was
her pastor, so she went to him and asked his forgiveness. He for~ve her,
but when she asked, "What can I do to make things right?" he gave her
an assignment. Handing her a bag of feathers, he told her to spread them
around the lawn. "These feathers represent the rumors you have told," he
explained. "Now, gather the feathers back up." Realizing this would be
impossible, the lady understood the destruction her gossip had caused.
Hurtful speech of any kind cannot be undone once it is spoken. God
desires that our speech be pure, holy, and uplifting.
Our verse today gives us the pattern for the things of which we should
speak Before we speak, we must think about what we are going to say and
consider if it will honor the Lord.
I once saw this acrostic for how we can think before we speak:
T-Is it true?
H-Is it helpful?
l-Is it inspiring?
N-Is it necessary?
K-Is it kind?
If we all ran our speech through the filter of THINK, we would be less
condescending, hurtful, and careless with our words and more uplifting
and encouraging in our speech.
The tongue is a mighty tool that can be used for good or bad. How
are you using your tongue? Do you think before you speak? Remember to
THINK before you say anything that could be harmful or unkind.
eurologist Oliver Sacks once wrote about Virgil, a man who had been
N blind from early childhood. When he was fifty, Virgil underwent
surgery and was given the gift of sight. But as he and Dr. Sacks found out,
having the physical capacity for sight is not the same as seeing. Virgil's
first experiences with sight were confusing. He was able to make out
colors and movements, but arranging them into a coherent picture was
more difficult. Over time he learned to identify various objects, but his
habits-his behaviors-were still those of a blind man.
Simply giving someone eyes does not cure blindness; they need the
ability to see and discern what is happening. Even so, most all of us have
the ability to see, but many times we lack the discernment to know what
is happening and how to react to different situations.
As Christians, we cannot often "see" the purposes and plan of God.
We cannot decipher on our own what God has for us, but through godly
counsel and spiritual guidance through God's Word, we can be guided
by Christ.
While our judgment as humans will fail us, God has placed godly
men and women in our lives to point us to God. As the Apostle Paul
says, "Be yefollowers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Godly counsel through your pastor, parents, or friends can help you
follow God's path for you.
Who are you following? Are you following the philosophies or
"maps" of this world? Or are you trusting God and godly counsel to lead
you in God's path for you?
When a decision arises in which you need God's guidance, spend
time in His Word, speak to Him in prayer, and seek council from godly
Christians. God already knows the path of your life and desires to reveal
it to you in His time.
once read about the last few hours of a five-year-old boy's life: "A nurse
I with whom I worked, named Gracie, took care of this lad dying oflung
cancer, which is a terrifying disease in its final stages. This little boy had
a Christian mother who stayed by his side through the long ordeal. She
cradled him on her lap and talked softly about the Lord. Gracie told me
that she entered his room one day as death approached, and she heard
this lad talking about hearing bells. 'The bells are ringing, Mommie,' he
said. 'I can hear them.'
"Gracie thought he was hallucinating and said to his mother, 'I'm
sure you know your baby is hearing things that aren't there. He is
hallucinating because of the sickness.'
"The mother pulled her son closer to her chest, smiled and said, 'No,
ma'am. He is not hallucinating. I told him when he was frightened-
when he couldn't breathe-if he would listen carefully, he could hear the
bells of Heaven ringing for him. That is what he's been talking about
all day."'
This little boy had fixed his eyes on Heaven and was ignoring the
pain filling his body. Rather than giving in to fear, he looked to God to
welcome him home to Heaven.
In any fearful time, it is easy to focus on the pain and uncertainty
around us rather than focusing on Christ. What trial or fearful time
do you have in your life? Don't allow yourself to focus so much on the
problem that you forget that Christ is with you. He is on your side and is
working everything for your good.
any years ago in England a circus elephant named Bozo was very
M popular with the public. One day there came a sudden change in
the elephant's personality. Several times he even tried to kill his keeper. It
was obvious he would have to be killed. Just before Bozo was to be killed,
a short, inconspicuous man in a brown derby hat came up.
"There is no need for this;' he told the manager quietly. "Give me
two minutes in the cage alone with him, and I will prove you are wrong."
At the sight of this stranger in his cage, the elephant let out a mighty roar
and prepared to charge. The man stood still, a faint smile on his face as
he began to talk to the animal. Those near the cage could hear the man
talking but couldn't make out the words. As the man continued to talk,
the elephant slowly raised his head and let out an almost piteous cry. All
aggression seemed suddenly to have been drained. After a while, the man
bade farewell to the elephant and left the cage.
"He'll be all right now;' he told the manager. "You see, he's an Indian
elephant, and none of you spoke his language. I would advise you to get
someone around who speaks Hindustani." And with that, the little man
left. The astounded manager looked down at the slip of paper in his hand.
The name the man had signed was Rudyard Kipling.
Though the elephant had been kind and gentle at first, being around
foreigners had changed him into a violent beast. Even so, those who are
around you can change your attitude and actions.
Who are your friends? Do they encourage you to walk with God
and remain close to Him? Or do they not "speak your language"? Do they
encourage you to do wrong? Choosing your friends is a vital action of your
Christian life. Your friends will ultimately determine how you behave.
All Is Well
And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things
well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
-MARK7:37
A Parent's Prayers
And she vowed a vow, and said, 0 LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look
on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget
thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then
I will give him unto the LoRD all the days of his life, and there shall no
razor come upon his head.-r SAMUEL I:II
t had been a long day on Capitol Hill for Senator John Stennis. He was
I looking forward to a bit of relaxation when he got home. Just outside
his front door, however, two people came out of the darkness, robbed
him, and shot him twice. For nearly seven hours, Senator Stennis was on
the operating table at Walter Reed Hospital.
Less than two hours later, another politician was driving home
when he heard about the shooting. He turned his car around and drove
directly to the hospital. In the hospital, he noticed that the staff could
not keep up with the incoming calls about the Senator's condition. He
spotted an unattended switchboard and voluntarily went to work taking
calls until daylight.
Just before leaving, he introduced himself quietly to the other
operator, "I'm Mark Hatfield. Happy to help out." Then Senator Mark
Hatfield unobtrusively walked out. The press could hardly handle that
story. There seemed to be no reason for a conservative Republican to give
this Democrat a tip of the hat, let alone spend hours doing a menial task
and be "happy to help out:'
Senator Hatfield's Christian testimony was seen in his willingness
to help others. Likewise, God has given us a purpose on earth and part of
that purpose is that we would serve those around us.
Some may have viewed Samuel as being too young to serve God,
but God didn't see him that way. Since the time Hannah brought Samuel
into the world, he began serving God. God chose Samuel because he had
been faithfully serving where God had placed him.
Are you serving God where you are? God can only use you as you
are being faithful to serve Him where He has placed you. As you go about
your day today, ask "How can I serve others?" Look for people to help and
allow God's Word to shine through you as you serve them.
od wanted to reveal His will for Samuel's life to Samuel that night,
G and He was able to do it because Samuel had been faithfully
serving God.
Many times people say to me, "I can't understand God's will. I just
don't know what He wants for my life. Why isn't God speaking to me?"
But God is speaking today! He is calling out in every city, every home, for
people to discover His will for their lives and to serve Him. Many times,
Christians fail to "hear" God because they are not faithfully serving Him.
God is speaking to you today. He wrote you a letter called the Bible,
through which He longs to speak to you. He is waiting to meet you in
prayer and speak to you through that time as well. If you are a Christian,
God has spoken to you and has given you His desires for your life. It is up
to you to obey Him in what He has revealed to you.
Whether you are a married person seeking God's will in your
marriage, or a single adult or young person seeking God's direction
for your life-God has spoken to you today. He has given you His plan
for your life. He desires first of all that you would love Him, and that
you would spend time with Him each day. He also desires for you to
be a faithful soulwinner, church member, and giver. God will never
reveal His future will for your life if you are not faithfully obeying His
immediate will.
Are you obeying God's will today? Are you being a faithful servant?
He has spoken to you and given you His plan; you must simply obey Him.
Determine to faithfully obey God's commands as you seek His will for
your life today.
A Lighthouse
And the LoRD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which
both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will
perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house:
when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will
judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his
sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
- I SAMUEL 3:II-I3
lighthouse is not useful if the glass surrounding the light is dirty. The
A dirt blocks the light from giving off the pure stream the ships need
to guide them. D.L. Moody once said, "A holy life will make the deepest
impression." Even so, God desires that the life of every Christian be a
lighthouse, giving off the pure light of His Word to a lost world.
God didn't call just anyone to be the next prophet of Israel. He
didn't use a mediocre, lukewarm believer. God chose a young man
named Samuel. But why did God choose Samuel? Why didn't he use a
more experienced man?
Eli was the priest, yet his sons were wicked, immoral young men. Eli
knew about his sons' sin but did nothing about it. God wanted his priest
or prophet to be a shining testimony for Him, so He chose Samuel to
succeed Eli. Samuel had a reverence for God, and his life was a testimony
to the nation.
Your life is a testimony to those around you as well. What kind of
testimony are you showing? God desires that others would see the light
of His Word shining through your life, but just as with a lighthouse, dirt
or sin can prevent Him from using you.
Examine your life now. What is hindering your witness to others?
Do others see Christ in you, or is something blocking Him from shining
through? Confess any sin that may be in your life and determine to be a
witness, a lighthouse, for Christ today.
hen the Israelites were confronted with their sin, they cried out
W to God for help. They confessed their sin and sought forgiveness.
Psalm 66:18 teaches, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear
me." Before God answered the cry for deliverance from their enemies,
they would have to turn to Him from their sin.
God shows time and again that if you desire His help in a situation,
you must clear your life of any sin that may be present. God told the
Israelites, "I want to help you. I want to deliver you from your enemies
and show Myself strong through you, but you need to turn from your
pagan idols and recognize Me as your God once again."
God offers the same promise to us today in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess
our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness." Even as Samuel took the blood of an innocent lamb
and prayed for the forgiveness of the people, so Christ offered Himself on
Calvary and paid for the sins of the entire world.
Christ shed His blood for you. Christian, there is nothing you could
do to make God forsake you; there is no sin you could commit for which
He hasn't already paid the price. He is willing and able to forgive you.
Do you need God's help in some area of your life today? He desires
to help you! Examine your life for unconfessed sin. Ask His forgiveness
and call unto Him for help today. He promises to answer your cry!
rior to today's verses, God had been the Ruler of the nation of Israel.
P He had raised up leaders and had guided the people through them.
Unfortunately, after the Israelites saw the other nations around them, they
desired to be like them and asked Samuel to choose a king to rule them.
Just a few days before this request for a king, the people were
begging Samuel to seek the Lord's forgiveness and to help them against
the Philistines. They recognized their sin and turned from the idols they
were worshipping. They offered a sacrifice to God, fought against the
Philistines, and God gave them the victory. God showed Himself strong
through them.
But Israel lost focus. They refused to listen to Samuel's instruction
to look to God and give Him the glory for the victory.
Is that not a good depiction of human nature? One day Israel was
dedicated to God and fighting in His strength, but shortly thereafter, they
were refusing to listen to the man of God and were seeking their own
king. This new attitude and direction started when the people lost their
focus and did not give God the glory for their recent victory.
Have you ever experienced a great miracle in your life but failed to
give God the glory? Have you lost your focus? Many times we become so
wrapped up in the victory and the joy of success that we fail to deflect
the glory and praise to God. Friend, God is the only one who deserves
the praise for anything good in our lives! When you enter a time of crisis
or a time when you desperately need God's help, remember to keep your
focus on God, and then give Him the praise for the victory He gives you.
hillip Brooks, a famous pastor of the last century, was in his office,
P pacing the floor out of frustration. Somebody walked in and asked,
"What's the matter, Pastor?" He said, ''I'm in a hurry, and God isn't!"
Have you ever been in that place-you're in a hurry but God isn't? I
have. We tend to rationalize or create our own plans in case God doesn't
show up. Saul did exactly that when Samuel failed to show up when Saul
wanted him to.
Saul and the people were ready for battle, yet Saul was told to wait
at Michmash until Samuel came and offered the burnt offering. Saul
chose to disobey Samuel's direct commands and to offer up a sacrifice on
his own terms. He was in a hurry and began rationalizing and creating
his own plan to get things done.
Can you relate? Maybe you needed to know where God wanted you
to move or which job He wanted you to take. Maybe you needed finances
for a bill or you needed an answer for a difficult situation. But no matter
how hard you prayed or sought God's face, He wasn't responding to your
prayer as quickly as you wanted.
When you need an answer as soon as possible, take time to stop,
pray, and realize that God has everything in control. God has His own
timetable for doing things, and it is always right! Nothing is ever late,
even though it may seem so to you. Trust God with your situation today,
and know that no matter how late the hour may seem to you, God is
always right on time.
Faithfulness in Prayer
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to
pray, and not to faint.- LUKE 18:1
rayer is one of the great privileges of the Christian life. Lowly, sinful
P human beings are allowed to approach the Holy of holies, the Lord
God, the Creator of the earth. The very One who set the stars in the sky
and formed the tiny ant invites you into a daily time of conversation,
confession, requests, and praise with Him. He desires to hear personally
from you.
Yet sadly, many times we become weary in our prayers. We bring
a request before God for a length of time, and, not seeing God's answer
right away, we become discouraged and give up. God does not want us to
"lose heart" in our prayer lives, but has promised to be our advocate as we
are faithful to continually seek Him in prayer.
When we pray, we come before God with a pure heart and lay our
requests at His feet, trusting Him to take care of them. God has three
answers to our petitions: yes, no, or wait. Sometimes what we are asking is
in the will of God; sometimes it's not in our best interest; and sometimes
God's timing is not right yet.
Have you ever prayed over something for months or even years
without seeing results? Do not become discouraged. God hears your
prayers! Praying faithfully takes faith to know that God hears what you
are asking and is working everything out for your good. God has a plan
for that request and will fulfill it in His time.
Think of that one request you have been praying about for a while.
Do you believe that God can and will answer your request? Do you trust
that His answer will be perfect, even if it doesn't match your desired
outcome? Then have faith and continue praying faithfully, trusting that
God is in control.
Resting Grace
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory
by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect,
stab/ish, strengthen, settle you.- I PETER 5:IO
once read these words on rest: "Every now and then go away, have a
I little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment
will be surer, since to remain constantly at work will cause you to lose
power of judgment.... Go some distance away because then the work
appears smaller, and more of it can be taken in at a glance, and lack of
harmony or proportion is more readily seen."
The man who wrote those words wasn't an idler. He was Leonardo
da Vinci, the painter, sculptor, poet, architect, engineer, city planner,
scientist, inventor, anatomist, military genius, and philosopher. Leonardo
da Vinci realized that without rest, his work would be hindered. He didn't
focus his life on rest, but he used periodic times of rest to sharpen him
and revitalize his work.
Do you ever feel like you need rest? Perhaps you've been running a
mile a minute and just wish you could step back for a few minutes. The
Christian life is characterized by grace. And God promises to give resting
grace during times of trial.
Times of suffering or loss can be overwhelming, and you can feel as
if your world is caving in. But God offers you rest in Him. He tells you in
Psalm 23:2-3, "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me
beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name's sake."
When was the last time you enjoyed rest in the Lord? When was the
last time you took time apart from everything going on in your life and
simply abided with God? Don't let the trials and pains of this world burn
you out. Allow God's Word to minister to your heart and refresh and
renew you for the rest of your day today.
once saw a man wearing a button on his coat that said, "To err is human.
I To forgive is out of the question." This is the attitude many have, but
aren't you glad God isn't like us? He is ready and willing to forgive us if
we will simply turn to Him.
Ephesians 1:7 says, "In whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." It doesn't matter
what you've done, God is ready to forgive you. He says, "Turn to me.
Humble yourself and seek My face. I want to draw you closer to Me, but
you must seek My forgiveness:'
Not only will God forgive you, but He will also restore you to
fellowship with Him. The last part of 2 Chronicles 7:14 says," .. . and will
heal their land." God told the nation of Israel, "I know you've turned your
back on Me and have disobeyed Me. But if you seek Me through humility,
I will restore you to fellowship with Me and will draw you close to Me
once again."
Have you ever felt as if God were far away? Maybe you once enjoyed
sweet fellowship with Him and spent time with Him each day, but now
you find yourself too busy for Him. Make sure nothing has come into
your life that has pulled you away from God. Seek to stay close to God by
immediately confessing your sin today.
A Labor of Love
I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how.. .for my
name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.- REVELATION 2:2-3
T he Ephesian church started out with a fervor and zeal to serve the
Lord. Yet, as time went by, that zeal diminished, and they lost their
passion for Christ. As new Christians, most of us were on fire for God
and wanted to serve Him any way we could. As time goes by, however, it
can be easy for us to lose our passion for serving Christ.
A well known author once said, "On the whole, God's love for us is
a much safer subject to think about than our love for Him:' God loved us
so much that He sent His Son to die for us. Because of this passion and
love Christ had for a lost world, He gave His life on Calvary. Do we have
such passion for Him? Do you give your all in serving Him?
The early Christians delighted in serving God and did so with
joy. But that joy diminished as their service became laborious to them.
Even so, as we serve God, our service can become laborious if we are not
careful to nurture our love for the Lord Himself. One hymn writer wrote,
"Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love." We are all
prone to lose the passion we once had when we were first saved. Yet, God
wants us to consistently serve Him with hearts that love Him.
The devil wishes to steal our passion because when we lose our love
for God, our service will lose its effectiveness. That is why we must daily
ask God to renew our passion for Him.
Has your passion for the things of God lessened? Don't allow your
service for God to become laborious. Ask Him right now to renew your
passion to serve Him today.
PROVERBS i 5 * 2 CORINTHIANS l
September 9
Faith to Pre-Order
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen .... But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh
to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him.-HEBREWS II: I, 6
I NeedAir1
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they
shall be filled.-MATTHEW 5:6
A proud young man once went to his professor asking for knowledge.
The professor led the young man to the sea and chest-deep into
water. Then he asked, "What do you want?" "Knowledge;' said the young
man with a smile.
The professor put his strong hands on the man's shoulders and
pushed him under. Thirty seconds later he let him up. "What do you
want?" he asked. "Knowledge;' the young man sputtered.
The professor held him under again. Thirty seconds passed. Thirty-
five. Forty. The professor let him up. The man was gasping. "What do
you want, young man?" Between heavy, heaving breaths the fellow
wheezed, "Knowledge:'
The professor jammed him under again for fifty seconds. "What do
you want?" ''Air!" the young man screeched. "I need air!" "When you want
knowledge as you have just wanted air, then you will have knowledge:'
The reason the prideful young man did not have knowledge
was because it was not important to him. He wanted his professor to
immediately impart wisdom to him without having to work for it.
Many Christians view God's wisdom that way too. We all want
wisdom and the mind of Christ, but how hard are we working toward it?
Do you want God's Word as much as you want other things in your life?
Do you have a burning passion to gain His wisdom?
God says those who hunger and thirst after His righteousness will
be filled. Only when you seek after God's Word as a starving man seeks
after food will you be able to gain His wisdom.
Take time right now to seek after God. Diligently search His Word
and draw closer to Him. Make sure that as you approach your Bible
reading each day, you read His Word intently, searching for its treasures
of truth to apply to your life.
with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the
LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we
are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with
thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and
bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his
truth endureth to all generations.-PSALM roo
T here are two ways we can develop a heart of praise in our lives. First,
we can cultivate a spirit of joy and praise when we become truly right
with God. C.H. Spurgeon once said, "The one who prays for holiness
will one day praise for happiness!" When we are right with God and are
seeking to be holy by spending time with Him, we will truly praise God
from joyous hearts.
Our hearts must be prepared to praise God. If there is sin or
disobedience in our lives, our praise becomes vain and meaningless.
We must empty our lives of any unconfessed sin and seek God with
pure hearts.
Sometimes our idea of praise is secularized. Many Christians
believe that worshipping God comes in the form of an ungodly concert
or a self-centered church service. This outward display of "praise" does
not honor God. By seeking to be holy through spending time with God,
we can develop pure hearts in our lives that praise God.
Second, we can develop a heart of praise through understanding
the Word of God. Psalm 119:7 says, "I will praise thee with uprightness of
heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments." When we study
God's Word, we will grasp the very nature of God, and our praise will
turn from vain repetition to heart-felt praise and glorification.
Have you praised God today? Ask the Lord to show you any sin
or disobedience that would hinder your praise. Then, use the Psalms of
praise to worship the Lord for His goodness and His faithfulness.
ave you ever noticed that in the sporting world, acts of sportsmanship
H and kindness often result in defeat? It happened that way in the
marathon tandem kayak racing event at the world championships in
Copenhagen in 1990. Danish paddlers were leading when their rudder
was damaged in a portage. British paddlers, who were in second place,
stopped to help the Danes. The Danes went on to defeat the British by
one second in an event that lasted three hours.
Some people use the phrase "Nice guys finish last" to illustrate that
kindness and taking time to do the right thing hurts you. That's not how
God views it! As a Christian, God wants you to be kind to others no
matter the reward!
But there's a happy ending to the story above. According to The
Wall Street Journal, the British kayakers won what many people in Europe
regard as the highest honor in sports. They became the winner of the
Pierre de Coubertin International Fair Play Trophy. The trophy is named
for the founder of the modern Olympic Games, and it has been awarded
annually for the past 28 years to people in sports who have demonstrated
nobility of spirit.
If there were a daily reward for being kind or helping others, I'm
sure many more people would be kind and helpful! God instructs us,
however, to show kindness even if there is no medal to be earned and no
recompense offered.
Have you taken on the "medal mentality;' only doing things for what
you'll get in return? Even if no one's watching or no one offers to pay you,
go ahead and help someone else. After all, God's watching everything and
He gives out larger rewards than any human could.
C onnie Mack was one of the greatest managers in the history ofbaseball.
One of the secrets of his success was that he knew how to lead and
inspire men. But Mack had another secret of good management-he
didn't worry. "I discovered;' he explained, "that worry was threatening
to wreck my career as a baseball manager. I saw how foolish it was and I
forced myself to get so busy preparing to win games that I had no time
left to worry over the ones that were already lost."
I wonder how much time we've spent worrying. Months? Years?
Decades? Neither you nor I can change many things in our lives, but we
still choose to worry about them. God would instead have us go to Him
during those times. He is the One in control of everything, so why should
we deal with the situation?
Worrying doesn't help anything[ The birds, flowers, and plants
don't worry about whether they'll get enough water and sunshine; they
trust their Maker to provide for them.
Friend, there is nothing you can change about many of the things
in your life. Rather than worrying about it, take it to God. Let Him have
full control of the situation, and let it go. Have faith that He knows what's
going on and has your best interest at heart.
Danger1
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil
speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:- EPHESIANS 4:31
large spider in an old house built a beautiful web. Every time a fly
A landed on the web the spider devoured him, so other flies would
think the web was a safe place to rest. One day a fairly intelligent fly flew
above the web so long that the spider called, "Come on down." But the fly
was too clever for him and said, "I never light where I don't see other flies,
and I don't see other flies in your house:' So he flew away until he came to
a place where there were a great many flies. He was about to settle down
among them when a bee buzzed up and said, "Hold it, that's flypaper. All
those flies are trapped:' "Don't be silly;' said the fly, "they're dancing." So
he settled down and became stuck to the flypaper with all the other flies.
This story illustrates our lives. We, like the fly, know it's wrong to sin
and have been taught to avoid it. We know what sin looks like and many
times recognize the devil's attempts to lure us into sin. But it's the pull of
seeing others in "fun" that usually causes us to fall.
Think of the two different pulls. The world pulls you to do wrong.
Of course it looks appealing and there is fun involved. Everyone is a part
of it. You won't be considered socially acceptable unless you take part. But
think of Christ. He is pulling us to do right. He doesn't promise a carefree,
easy life if we follow Him, but He does promise future blessings.
So which way will you go when the pressure sets in? Will you give
in to the immediate gratification of this world, or will you choose to
follow the Lord and live for Heaven's blessings? Stand your ground when
others pull you to do wrong. Don't give in. Next time you are faced with
negative peer pressure, ask yourself this question: "Who do I really want
to please-God or man?"
Personal Revival
Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel
were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.
And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood
and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood
up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LoRD their God
one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and
worshipped the LORD their God.-NEHEMIAH 9:1-3
ehemiah was living nearly seven hundred miles away from Jerusalem
N during a time of foreign captivity. One day, word was brought to
him that his home city of Jerusalem was in tremendous need. The wall
of the city had been broken down, and the city had been destroyed. As a
result of months in prayer, Nehemiah was used of God to lead a faithful
remnant of people in rebuilding the wall.
The emphasis of Nehemiah chapters 1-7 is the rebuilding of the
wall of Jerusalem, but the emphasis of chapters 8-9 is the rebuilding of
the Israelite people. When the people came back to rebuild the city, they
also rebuilt their lives spiritually. As we serve God, we must remember to
develop a heart for Him as well. Our work means nothing to Christ if we
do not have a relationship with Him.
As the people gathered around Ezra the priest to hear the Word
of God, their hearts were touched. They listened to God's Word, and
there was a tremendous response-a real evidence of revival. Revival did
not come to these people until they realized their need was not simply
rebuilding a physical wall, but rebuilding the spiritual wall of their hearts.
We must not focus solely on serving Christ outwardly-we must develop
our relationship with Him.
Are you developing a relationship with Christ each day? Personal
revival comes when we seek to become like Christ as we live for Him
each day. Determine not only to live for God today but to develop a
relationship with Him as well.
hen our hearts are right with God, there is a fresh desire to read
W His Word. As we spend time with God, we are renewed, and we are
fed spiritually.
God's Word provides protection for our daily lives. Psalm 119:11 says,
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." When
we hide God's Word in our hearts, we will be prepared to fight the devil
when he tempts us. The devil is very powerful and subtle in his attacks
against us. If we have spent time with God in His Word, He will protect us
through the knowledge of His Word. Only God can give us the strength
needed to fight temptations, and we can find that strength in His Word.
The Word of God strengthens us. Psalm 119:28 says, "My soul melteth
for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word." As we spend
time with God each day in His Word, we will be strengthened through
His power. The Word of God has power that no other book can offer, and
that power can strengthen us daily as we live for Him.
Last, the Word of God provides direction. Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy
word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." God's Word is a
light to guide us along the right path. We can look to Scripture each day
for direction.
Ronald Reagan once said, "Within the covers of one single book,
the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems that face us today-if
only we would read and believe."
Do you spend time in God's Word each day? Take time today to
meditate on His Word and seek the power of God through the Bible. Ask
God to personally revive your heart today.
Personal Loss
And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. When Jesus heard
of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart ....
-MATTHEW 14:10, I3
any times when you want nothing more than to spend time alone,
M interruptions arise that demand your immediate attention. It may
be while you are on vacation that someone gets sick, and you must go to
the hospital. Or maybe on a day off, you get called into work. Whatever it
is, many times pressures mount when we cannot get time alone.
Christ also sometimes found it difficult to spend private time
with God the Father. After hearing the news of John the Baptist's death,
Christ sought to spend time alone with His disciples. But as He crossed
the Sea of Galilee, He faced a multitude of people who wanted to hear
Him teach.
Setting His own need for solitude aside, Jesus gave Himself to
those who needed Him. "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude,
and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick"
(Matthew 14:14). Then, seeing their hunger, He fed the multitude of over
five thousand people.
Even with these interruptions, however, Jesus still made time to
spend with His Father. "And when he had sent the multitudes away, he
went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he
was there alone" (Matthew 14:23).
It is often a struggle to simply spend five minutes with God during a
hectic day! Yet, it is this time alone with Him that will help us get through
our day. It is through this time that we are renewed and strengthened in
our Christian lives.
Do you ever have difficulty finding time to spend with Christ? Don't
let the things of this world take the place of private time with God. Ask
Him to help you find time to spend with Him each day, and determine to
seek His face no matter what comes into your life.
Considering Others
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom
he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he
to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took
her unto his own home.-]OHN 19:26-27
L ooking down from the cross, Jesus saw His mother, and in great
concern that no one would care for her, He asked the disciple standing
near to care for her as his own mother. Even as Christ was dying, He
saw the need of His mother and wanted to make sure that she was well
cared for. This consideration for others was not just seen at Calvary but
throughout His life as well.
Jesus' earthly ministry was about others. Christ cared for the needs
of the sick, crippled, and maimed. He spent His time helping others.
Jesus also was considerate of His disciples. He spent time with
them, mentored them, exhorted them, taught them, and loved them. He
instructed them in the way they should live and taught them the truth
about God's Word so they could reach others. He was reaching out to
them so they could, in turn, reach out to others.
We all could admit that we don't love others as much as Christ did.
And sometimes it takes a tragedy to make us love others. One magazine
reported that in the wake of the September n tragedy, over four hundred
couples withdrew their divorce documents in just ten days.
Christ doesn't want us to wait until we are hurt to realize the
importance of loving others. John 13:34 says, '1'1. new commandment I give
unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love
one another." That verse really puts things in perspective. We are to love
others as much as Christ loved us. He gave His life for us!
Even in Christ's time of suffering, He was thinking of others. When
was the last time you thought of another before yourself? Ask the Lord to
help you be considerate of others.
Overcoming Temptation
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
-MATTHEW 4:4
A fter reading the Bible through one hundred times with increasing
delight, George Mueller made this statement: "I look upon it as a lost
day when I have not had a good time over the Word of God. Friends often
say, 'I have so much to do, so many people to see, I cannot find time for
Scripture study.' Perhaps there are not many who have more to do than
I. For more than half a century, I have never known one day when I had
not more business than I could get through, but I have always made it a
rule never to begin work until I have had a good season with God and
His Word. The blessing I have received has been wonderful.''
God's Word is our strength and defense against the devil's attacks.
We can overcome temptation as we turn to God for His power, daily
memorizing His Word to answer the devil.
In the day in which we live, there are many ways the devil tempts
us to sin. Never before has our adversary had such powerful technology
with which to glamorize sin. But even though the devil is powerful, we
can overcome his temptations with Christ's help.
When Christ was on earth He was tempted, yet He resisted the
devil's temptations by quoting Scripture. He turned to God's Word.
We must be ready with Scripture to ward off Satan's attacks. The
devil cannot fight against the Bible because it is the truth. We must be in
God's Word daily, studying and memorizing Scripture. When we answer
every attack the devil has with God's Word, we will have God's power to
overcome temptation.
Are you studying and memorizing God's Word? Only when we know
God's Word can we effectively answer the devil's attacks. Take time today to
read the Bible and memorize a verse to help you overcome temptations.
A young man enlisted in the military and was sent to his regiment.
Before going to bed the first night, he knelt to pray. The other men
began to curse him, jeer at him, and throw boots at him. So it went on
the next night and the next. The young man finally went to the chaplain
and asked what he should do.
"Well;' said the chaplain, "the other men have just as much right to
the barracks as you have. It makes them mad to hear you pray, and the
Lord will hear you just as well if you say your prayers in bed and don't
provoke them."
A few weeks later the chaplain met the young soldier and asked if he
had taken his advice. "I did, for two or three nights." "How did it work?"
inquired the chaplain. "Well," said the young man, "I felt like a whipped
hound, so the third night I got out of bed, knelt down, and prayed.""Well;'
asked the chaplain, "how did that work?" The young soldier answered,
"We now have a prayer meeting every night; three have been converted,
and we are praying for the rest."
The other soldiers, wanting to test this young man, made him feel
inferior or ridiculous for being a Christian and spending time with Christ.
While at first he gave in to the peer pressure, he realized that standing for
Christ showed the other soldiers his commitment to God.
We are commanded to take a stand for Christ, but this world will
not readily accept our testimony for the Lord. God never said taking a
stand would be easy, but His path to the Cross wasn't easy either!
What are you doing to let others know you are a follower of God?
Don't allow people around you to discourage you from standing for
Christ. Take your stand today and allow God to change other people's
hearts rather than allowing them to change yours.
ohn Newton was once a rough, dirty sailor with a foul mouth and an
J appetite for rotten living. As a slave-ship owner, he enslaved men for
his own gain. Then he was saved and spent his life freeing men from the
bond of sin for God's glory!
Well past his "retirement age;' he had to have an assistant stand
in the pulpit with him on Sundays. He was nearly blind and spoke in
whispers, but nothing could keep him from preaching while he still
had breath.
One Sunday, while delivering his message he repeated the sentence:
"Jesus Christ is precious." His helper whispered to him: "But you have
already said that twice." Newton turned to his helper and said loudly, "Yes,
I've said it twice, and I'm going to say it again." The stones in the ancient
sanctuary fairly shook as the grand old preacher said again: "Jesus Christ
is precious!"
Even when Newton was old and had physical limitations, he never
ceased from declaring how good God had been to him.
Isn't God's salvation a miracle? The fact that God would send His
only Son to die a cruel death on the Cross for people who had rejected
Him is mind-boggling. But even more astounding is the fact that with all
Christ has done for us, we sometimes fail to tell others of Him.
John Newton didn't allow blindness and a weak voice to keep him
from declaring God's goodness, so what excuse is there for us? God
commands us to tell everyone we meet of His miracle of salvation!
What is holding you back from witnessing to others? There is no
challenge so great in our lives that we can't overcome it to tell others
of Christ. Whether through a tract or even sharing your testimony,
determine to tell at least one person today of God's love. After all the
Lord has done for you, what keeps you from obeying Him?
he wedding went without a flaw. The bride and groom exited the
T building, and the reception soon followed. Everyone was having a
good time. People were eating, laughing, and retelling fond memories of
the happy couple.
Just then a servant approached the hostess and told her they had
run out of wedding punch. She began to panic-the reception was still
to last for many hours! Just then a woman nearby told the hostess that
her son could help. The woman went to her son who was at the wedding
and asked him to help. She then instructed the servers to obey anything
her son told them to do.
The son instructed the servers to fill all the empty pots with water
and serve the man in charge of the reception. What? Serve water? Would
the man in charge be mad at them? Would he punish them? And why
had this woman's son ordered them to give him water anyway? In spite
of their questions, they obeyed him. They filled each pot to the brim
and poured it for the man in charge. When the servers poured the water,
something miraculous happened-it came out as the wedding punch!
This is a true story of how God worked through the life of Christ
and showed His miraculous power at the wedding in Cana.
God has all power. There is no problem too large, no situation
too difficult, no crisis too complicated in which God cannot work! We
often flounder in our problems, seeking to find our own solutions. Why
would you not go to the source of all power to find help when you need
it? He has offered it to you; simply take it, and follow His directions to
the letter.
_lj(J
ISAIAH II 13 'If- EPIIESIANS4
()ctober 2
True Faith
And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh
to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet
the Philistine.-! SAMUEL 17:48
T here once was a tightrope walker who did incredible aerial feats all
over Paris. After he crossed the tightrope, he would have succeeding
acts. He would cross the tightrope again blindfolded, then he would go
across the tightrope, blindfolded, pushing a wheelbarrow.
An American promoter read about this in the papers and wrote a
letter to the tightrope walker, saying, "Tightrope, I don't believe you can
do it, but I'm willing to make you an offer. For a very substantial sum of
money, I would like to challenge you to do your act over Niagara Falls:'
Tightrope wrote back, "Sir, although I've never been to America and seen
the Falls, I'd love to come."
Many came to see the event. Tightrope was to start on the Canadian
side and come to the American side across the most treacherous part
of the falls. As the drums rolled, he was blindfolded and started across
the rope. He made it across easily, and the crowds went wild. He then
approached the promoter. "Well, Mr. Promoter, now do you believe I can
do it?" "Well of course I do-l just saw you do it." "No, no, no," said
Tightrope, "do you believe I can do it?" "Yes," said Mr. Promoter, "I believe
you can do it:' "Good," said Tightrope, "then get in the wheelbarrow."
David really believed God would use him to kill Goliath. While the
rest of the Israelite army hid from the challenge, David had faith in God
and ran out to meet Goliath head on!
When God puts on your heart to do something, don't hesitate!
When He tells you to give, tell someone else about Christ, or to attempt
something for Him, obey. Have you been hesitant to obey God's
commands? Ask God for courage and strength, then run out to the
battlefield and have faith that He will work through you!
A Moment of Faith
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.-MARK II:22
everal years ago, I had the joy of going traveling with my son Matthew
S on his senior class trip. One activity the teens planned on that trip
was to slide down a zip-line.
We arrived at the top of the mountain where we were to begin and
saw a large metal cord wrapped around a tree. About a quarter of a mile
down, we saw the other end wrapped around another tree. I began to
become apprehensive about hanging from that metal cord.
I approached our guide and asked about the durability of the cord.
He assured me that the tourism industry inspected it. When he added
that I would need an extra harness and safety hook, I began feeling even
more apprehensive. We were five to ten stories from the ground with
a raging river below us. I wasn't too sure I wanted to risk my life for a
zip line!
To test the durability of the chord, I allowed someone heavier than
I to go first. After he was safely across, I was faced with a moment of
faith. Would I trust the cords to hold me? With all the teenagers around, I
decided to jump on the zip-line. The cord did hold me, and I safely rode
down that zip-line.
It always amazes me that we tend to trust in man-made devices
before we trust in God. There is something about our nature that thinks
if we can see something or test it out, we can trust it. But the most
trustworthy things of this world don't compare to our trustworthy God.
What are you afraid to give to God? God is worthy of your trust! If
you are saved, you've already trusted Him with your soul. Why not trust
Him with the rest of your life today?
A Passion to Possess
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for
a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he
possesseth.-LUKE 12:15
omeone once said, "Longsuffering is the grace of the man who could
S revenge himself and does not." There will be times in each of our lives
when we have the opportunity to avenge a wrong done to us, but these
are the times God desires us to have longsuffering. We must be so careful
how we react during these situations because we have an influence on
many different people.
We have an influence on our families. Because we spend so much
time with them, there will be times when we get upset or are wronged
by a family member. It is during these times when we must ask the Lord
for patience. We must not strike back in anger or out of retribution. The
Holy Spirit enables us to have patience during these times.
We also have an influence on the people around us. Whether we see
it or not, others are watching us. Whether it's a neighbor, coworker, or
even someone we don't know, other people watch our reactions during
difficult times. The world thinks nothing of retaliating or screaming out
in anger, but as Christians, God desires us to be a testimony to those
around us by having patience. It is often the silent witness of a Christian
living for God that has the greatest impact on the lives of others.
Sometimes we can become so focused on ourselves and our own
hurt that we fail to see that others are watching. We must be careful not
to react in anger, but to demonstrate patience when things go wrong.
How are you influencing those around you today? What are they
seeing in your life? Ask God to help you respond correctly in difficult
situations. Ask Him to help you be a good influence to those around
you today.
typical concert piano has over 240 strings that, when tuned and
A tightened, create a pull of 4o,ooo pounds on the frame. Without the
tension, there would be no beautiful music. Most of us today would say
that our lives have too much stress. We try to avoid and alleviate stress
at all costs. Yet, sometimes God allows stress and trials into our lives to
further develop our faith and our walk with Him.
Our verse today teaches that God wants us to consider it a joy to
receive a trial in our lives. That is opposite of what we want to do! Our
human nature doesn't like times of difficulty or trial. We want to have
an easy Christian life free of any difficulties. Yet, God uses these trials to
develop our faith.
It has been said that we are either going through life or we are
growing through life. God seeks to grow us and stretch our faith, and His
plan in doing so is through trials. God desires to conform us to His image
and develop our faith during trials.
I once heard a preacher say, "Don't waste your trials." God has a
purpose for every trial and difficulty that comes into your life. He knows
where you are in your spiritual life, and He wants to develop and mature
you. Don't resist God's working through the trials. Instead, accept His
purpose for developing your faith and display it during your trials.
Are you going through a time of trial or difficulty? Do you find it
hard to see God's reason for the trial in your life? God has a purpose for
everything that comes into our lives, and He only wants what is best for
us! We must look to Him during our trials and seek to grow closer to
Him. Open your heart to His purpose for your trial, and let Him draw
you closer to Him today.
n the summer of1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast
I of Russia. Hundreds of passengers died as they were hurled into the icy
waters. News of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation
revealed that the cause of the accident was human stubbornness. Each
captain was aware of the other ship's presence. Both could have steered
clear, but neither captain wanted to give way to the other. Each was too
proud to yield first. By the time they came to their senses, it was too late.
God has a path He wants us to take in every trial, but sometimes
human nature gets in the way and makes us not want to surrender or give
in. However, God can only work in our lives as we surrender to Him.
We must first surrender our past (Philippians 3:13). The devil
attempts to use past failures or sin to distract us from seeing God's
purpose for our trials. He tries to convince us that God is punishing us
or that He is upset with us and cannot use us. If you have asked God
for forgiveness for those things in your past, then He doesn't remember
them anymore! Don't let the devil distract you from seeing God's plan
for you.
We must also surrender our present-each day we must surrender
ourselves to Christ. As we do so, we can see God's purpose in our trials
and draw closer to Him.
Last, we must surrender our future. We must trust that God has a
plan for us, that He is leading us, and that He has a purpose for what He
allows in our lives.
Have you surrendered your past, present, and future to God? He
has a plan for your life, and He desires to use you. Ask God to help you be
fully submitted to Him and to draw you closer to Him today.
rials reveal our need for wisdom. Psalm m:w says, "The fear of the
T LoRD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they
that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." We are more
apt to gain real wisdom during a trial than at any other time. It is often
during a trial when I find myself on my knees in prayer and reading the
Bible more.
Trials reveal our dependence upon God for help. Charles Spurgeon
once said, "The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our
own ignorance." When we come before God with the realization that we
are in desperate need of His wisdom, He will give us wisdom.
We will gain God's wisdom through God's Word! It's one thing to ask
for wisdom, but it's another thing to receive it! Second Corinthians 12:9
says, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength
is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Paul said that he
would gladly endure the trials so he could draw closer to Christ.
Are you going through a difficult time today? Is there some trial
in your life for which you cannot see God's purpose? Remain faithful
to God during these times. As you focus on Him, you will see your need
for wisdom and will receive His wisdom through His Word. Ask God to
help you remain faithful during your trials so you may become more
like Him.
October 12
od desires for us to love others in the power of His love. If we are not
G careful, however, many times serving and loving others becomes
routine. Two attributes God uses to describe true love are patience
and kindness.
The term for patience in the Bible is longsuffering. This word has
the idea of putting off anger and being patient in our reactions. When we
love others, we are more patient in our responses to them.
Love practices being patient. I once heard the quote, "To dwell
above with those we love, oh that will be glory. To dwell below with those
we know, well that's another story." It isn't always easy to get along with
everyone because we are all human and often make mistakes! But as we
seek to have God's love in our hearts, we will be able to practice patience
to those around us.
Also, love is kind. To be kind means to be useful, forbearing, and
gracious. We must be kind to others even when they are not kind to us.
God does not command us to be kind only if others deserve it. We surely
do not deserve His kindness! Yet, because He loves us, He is kind and
gracious to us. When we love others out of a love for God, it will be easier
to be kind when others are not kind to us.
There will be times in each of our lives when we are wronged and
we simply want to lash out in revenge. But God desires that we would act
out of love and be patient and kind. How are your reactions to difficult
situations? Are you patient and kind even when you are wronged? Ask God
to help you have true love for others by being patient and kind today.
ove and jealousy are mutually exclusive. We all face the temptation
L towards jealousy when someone else gets something a little better
than what we have! But true love is not jealous when others are blessed.
True love rejoices with them and is content in what they already have.
Neither does love attempt to make others jealous by prideful
bragging. People with true love do not parade their accomplishments
or possessions. They do not focus on themselves but on others. The
Corinthian believers struggled with bragging, and Paul admonished
them in 1 Corinthians 14:26, "How is it then, brethren? when ye come
together, every one ofyou hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath
a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying."
Paul told them that in all their conversation, they were to be edifying
one another! We must seek to uplift and encourage others instead
of bragging.
Last, love is not arrogant. First Corinthians 4:18-20 says, "Now some
are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you
shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are
puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in
power." As someone once said, "Love is not big-headed, but big-hearted."
When we are filled with biblical love, we will not seek to build ourselves
up, but to build up others around us.
Simply put, people with love place their focus and energy on helping
others. Do you focus more on yourself or on those around you? It can be
easy to get so wrapped up in our own schedules and agendas that we fail
to take time for others. Ask Christ to help you love others with biblical
love by focusing on helping those around you today.
omeone once said that there are two ways in which a Christian may
S view his money. "How much of my money shall I use for God?" or
"How much of God's money shall I use for myself?"
To analyze your financial priorities, ask yourself the following
four questions:
Am I trusting God with my fmances? Those who do not know
Christ often worry about their future and seek to control their finances.
But God desires us to trust Him to take care of us. He knows what we
need and He will provide for us!
Am I seeking His kingdom first? God promises that as we seek
Him first, He will provide for our needs. If He lays it on your heart to
give to Him, do not try to figure out how the finances will work. Simply
trust Him.
Am I placing treasure in His work? Our hearts are affected by where
we place our treasure. We must make sure we are placing a priority on
God's work by investing in it.
Am I preparing to give an account? One day we will all give an
account before God. We must make sure we are using every opportunity
God has given us to give to Him.
Someone once said, "We exist temporarily through what we take;
we live forever through what we give." God desires that we would place a
high priority on His work and on giving to Him. It can be easy to focus
on worldly possessions rather than on God. We must take time to analyze
our priorities and focus on God.
What are your priorities in life? Is God's work at the top of the list?
When we place God and His work as a priority in our lives, we will have
no problem obeying His commandment to give to Him.
iving the Christian life without faith is like driving a car with no oil,
L washing clothes with no soap, or playing half-back in the Super Bowl
with no helmet or pads. Without a life of biblical faith, many Christians
struggle with discouragement, worry, fear, and hurt.
Having faith means trusting God even when we can't logically figure
out the outcome. It means not worrying about a problem or situation
but giving it over to God and letting Him handle it.
We have become accustomed to trying to figure out the results
before doing something. We like to test drive a car, sample food, and
try out new products before we buy them. There is nothing wrong with
wanting to test something before we buy it, but we must not assume that
thinking when it comes to faith. We must trust God with the results and
choose to follow Him without knowing the outcome.
A person with faith also acts upon their faith. Anyone can believe
that God is able to meet their needs or answer their prayers, but it takes
true faith to act on the belief. It takes a person with real faith to say, "God,
I may not understand why or how, but I know that you are in control,
and I will keep on going even though I don't see how You will provide."
True faith is not only willing to trust God, but is willing to step forward
and continue serving Him as well.
Are you exhibiting true faith in your life today? Spend time with
God now and commit to following Him in faith. Take that next step and
trust Him for the outcome. You will never regret fully trusting God with
your life.
God's Purpose
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory
ofGod.-I CORINTHIANS I0:3I
any people, even those who are well-known, can attest to that void
M felt by a lack of purpose in life. For example, H. G. Wells, famous
historian, said at age sixty-one: "I have no peace. All life is at the end
of the tether." The literary genius Thoreau said, "Most men live lives of
quiet desperation:'
Ralph Barton, one of the top cartoonists of the nation, left this note
pinned to his pillow before taking his own life: "I have had few difficulties,
many friends, great successes; I have gone from wife to wife, from house
to house, visited great countries of the world, but I am fed up with
inventing devices to fill up twenty-four hours of the day."
Solomon indicated in the book of Ecclesiastes that if we do not
understand the purpose of life, life will seem useless, tiresome, and
unfulfilling. "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all
is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under
the sun?" (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3). When we live without purpose and without
God's will, it is all vanity!
Life is not useless or vain-everything we do can be meaningful
when it is done to the glory of God. We tend to divide our activities into
the categories of sacred and secular, or spiritual and non-spiritual. We
think of teaching a Sunday school class or witnessing to a lost person as
obvious avenues to bring God glory. God desires, however, that everything
we do, even the most common activities, be done for His glory. We do
things to God's glory when we surrender ourselves to Him and seek to
serve Him through each act.
What have you done over the past twenty-four hours? All that
was not done to the glory of God was wasted time. Yet each moment
and activity that you dedicated to God and used to serve Him was
eternally invested.
Day-by-Day Victory
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing ofyour mind, that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable, and perfect, will ofGod.-ROMANS 12:1~2
e all have imperfections in our lives, yet God desires to use us.
W To day's verses show us how we can be used by God.
First, we must present ourselves to the Lord. We must give ourselves
to God each day and let Him fill us.
Second, we must be transformed by the Lord. God desires to renew
and transform us into Christians He can use.
It has been said that our thoughts are the autopilot of our lives.
Many times someone will say, "I could never teach a Sunday school class"
or "I could never work on a bus route." These thoughts dictate their
behavior and prevent them from serving God. What is your autopilot
today? What have you been making excuses about to avoid doing? God
can use any of us if we will surrender to Him and let Him transform us.
Third, focus on victory one day at a time. We must realize that we
cannot do it on our own, but we can focus on God and ask Him for victory
each day. Make a list of the areas in your life that need change. Take your
list before God in prayer, and each day ask for victory in every area.
Last, we must memorize Scripture. As we are memorizing Scripture
and applying the truths of God's Word in our lives each day, God will
help us have victory.
In what areas are you struggling? We all need God's help each day.
Present yourself to God, ask Him to transform you, focus on victory one
day at a time, and memorize and apply God's Word in your life. God will
help you gain the victory.
Yielded to Him
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth
in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the
Son of God, who loved me, and gave himselffor me.-GALATIANS 2:20
W hile in England, I visited the site where Nicholas Ridley was burned
at the stake in 1555 because of his witness for Christ. On the night
before Ridley's execution, his brother offered to remain with him in the
prison chamber to be of assistance and comfort. Nicholas declined the
offer and replied that he wanted to go to bed and sleep as quietly as he
ever did in his life. Because he knew the peace of God, he could rest in the
strength of the everlasting arms of his Lord to meet his need.
People go to great lengths to attain peace. Some try medicine,
different exercise classes, or even move to remote places in attempts to
bring peace to their lives! However, peace is not found in the absence
of trouble but in the presence of God. To have true peace, we must seek
the Lord.
God desires that we would "be careful for nothing:' God does not
want us to worry about our problems and needs. He desires that we would
give them to Him. He is the ruler of the world and can fix any problem we
have and provide for any need that may arise. Why would we hold onto
our problems when He offers to take care of them for us?
We must take our problems and needs before God instead of
worrying over them. Because of Christ's sacrifice on Calvary, we can go
boldly unto God and lay our requests before Him! What an honor and
privilege! Yet, many times we hold onto our problems and seek solutions
on our own.
Is there a lack of peace in your life? God desires us to live with His
peace, yet we must first give our worries and problems to Him. Give God
control of every problem you face. He will give you peace today.
e have all heard of the tragedy of the German prison camps during
W World War II. As stories of the atrocities and injustices that were
performed at the German prison camps during World War II are told,
it seems impossible to imagine the Lord at work during this time. But
while going through the clothing of one of the children who was kept at
the Ravensbruck concentration camp, this note was found scribbled on
a piece of scrap paper:
"0 Lord, remember not only the men and woman of good will, but
also those of ill will. But do not remember all of the suffering they have
inflicted upon us. Instead remember the fruits we have borne because of
this suffering, our fellowship, our loyalty to one another, our humility,
our courage, our generosity, the greatness of heart that has grown from
this trouble. When our persecutors come to be judged by you, let all of
these fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness."
How could someone endure such pain and injustice and yet
willingly forgive those who had hurt him? Not only did this young
child freely forgive his captors, but Christ freely forgave those who had
wronged Him as well.
Forgiveness is the hallmark of Christian disciples, and it is the fruit
of true Christ -like character. Amazingly, when we choose to forgive, God
will miraculously bring good out of the wrongs done to us. If we cling to
bitterness, however, we lose twice-first through our mistreatment, and
second by missing out on the benefits we would have reaped through
forgiveness. As someone once said, "To forgive is to set a captive free, only
to discover that captive is me!"
Has someone wounded you? Have you been abused or mistreated?
Choose to forgive. Only through forgiveness can you find healing, and
beyond healing, blessing.
()ctobcr 24
A mother wanted to teach her daughter the joy of giving. She gave
the little girl a quarter and a dollar for church. "Put whichever one
you want in the collection plate and keep the other for yourself;' she
instructed. When they were coming out of church, the mother asked her
daughter which amount she had given. "Well," said the little girl, "I was
going to give the dollar, but just before the collection the preacher said
that we should all be cheerful givers. I knew I'd be a lot more cheerful if
I gave the quarter, so I did."
God gave His Son for us so we may have eternal life with Him in
Heaven. He gave His all, and in return, we should give our all for Him as
well. What can we give God?
We can give Him our time. What have you done for God in the past
five years? How have you served Him, honored Him, and given your time
to Him? No matter how busy your schedule is, you must make time to
serve Him.
We can give Him our talents. When someone says the word "talent"
I often think of a school talent contest where children perform for parents,
teachers, and peers. But God gave us talents to glorify Him! Whether you
can sing, play an instrument, work in a nursery, sweep a bathroom, or
preach a sermon, God has given you that talent so you may honor Him
with it! Everyone has a talent or ability that can be used for God.
We can give Him our treasures. None of us "earned" the money
we have by ourselves. The job we have and the skill and ability we have
to work was given to us by the Lord. We must realize that any money or
treasure we have is already the Lord's.
What can you give God today? Our time, talents, and treasures are
all temporary-unless we invest them in that which has eternal values.
Look for ways to give to the Lord today.
Lost Keys
But iffrom thence thou shalt seek the LoRD thy God, thou shalt find him,
if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
-DEUTERONOMY 4:29
T here is one common focus of each Olympic athlete: the gold medal.
Their focus, their goal, is to be able to stand on the platform and
receive the gold medal.
The Christian life is like a race. We have each been given a goal, and
that goal is to remain faithful to Christ until the end of our race. But with
all the other runners around us, it can sometimes be hard to focus on
our race. We can see the journey of others and compare our difficulties
to theirs. When we focus on others rather than Christ, our race will seem
more difficult.
Every runner in the Christian life will face adversity. We all have
to jump hurdles and avoid obstacles. But where we focus during the
adversities of our race determines our outcome.
While your trials may seem overwhelming and you don't think you
can carry on, looking to Christ and reading of how He endured suffering
will put things in perspective. Christ has the strength to overcome the
suffering of the Cross, and He offers it to you.
Are you faithfully running your race in spite of adversity and
setbacks? Sometimes Christians neglect their time with the Lord during
adversity. They feel distant and question God's presence in their lives.
Friend, God will always be there, ready to help you. Seek refuge in the
Lord's presence, and let Him guide and comfort you today.
IEREM!Ail !2 14 * 2 T!MOT!II' [
October 28
n 1924, two climbers were part of an expedition that set out to conquer
I Mount Everest. Somewhere on that gigantic mountain, before they
reached the summit, they were overpowered by the elements and died.
After the failure of the expedition, the rest of the party returned home.
Addressing a meeting in London, one of those who returned described
the ill-fated adventure. He then turned to a huge photograph of Mount
Everest, mounted on the wall behind him.
"Everest," he cried, "we tried to conquer you once, but you
overpowered us. We tried to conquer you a second time, but again you
were too much for us. But, Everest, I want you to know that we are going
to conquer you, for you can't grow any bigger, and we can!"
Every time these climbers faced the difficulty of scaling Mount
Everest, they grew stronger in their knowledge of the mountain and their
ability to conquer it. Even so, every time we as Christians face difficulties
and rely on God, He makes us stronger for the next difficulty.
What made David, a young shepherd boy, so confident and eager
to fight Goliath when even the mightiest of Israel's army cowered in
fear? Previous.challenges David had overcome had prepared him for the
present-day battle he was to face. God had given David the victory over a
lion and bear, and David was confident God would deliver the giant into
his hands as well.
Are you facing a new difficulty? Think of all the trials you have
already come through and how much stronger you are because of them!
Do not become discouraged or quit in the middle of the battle; simply
trust God and rely on Him to help you through.
Idle Times
And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his
bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he
saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to
look upon.-2 SAMUEL II:2
P resident Abraham Lincoln once said, "We have been the recipients
of the choicest bounties of heaven .... But we have forgotten God.
We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace,
and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly
imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts that all these blessings were
produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated
with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the
necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to
God who made us. It behooves us, then to humble ourselves before the
offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency
and forgiveness:'
As President Lincoln pointed out, repentance involves a turning
from the sin committed and a turning to God Almighty. This was true
in King David's life as well. When he was confronted about his sin with
Bathsheba, David realized the sin he had committed was against God. He
confessed his sin and turned from it. God graciously forgave him when
he repented. Aren't you thankful for God's mercy? First John 1:9 says, "If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
God offers you mercy and grace when you sin, but you must, like
David, experience a change of direction in your life. Many people repent
when they get caught, but they never truly forsake their sin.
What sin is preventing you from having an intimate relationship
with God? Because God is holy and just, He cannot commune with
you if there is sin in your life. Realize your sin, repent and turn from
it, and return to sweet fellowship with God. He is waiting to meet with
you today!
God's Promises
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily
thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LoRD; and he shall give thee
the desires of thine heart.-PSALM 37:3-4
ne pastor said, "Form the habit of heeding His taps, and you will be
O less likely to receive His raps:' Before God chastises us, He brings
conviction-His "taps" on our hearts. He speaks to us through His Holy
Spirit, urging us to correct sin in our lives.
If we do not heed His taps, but ignore His voice oflove, He is forced
to correct our actions through chastening. God doesn't chasten us because
He wishes to do us harm. God corrects us because He loves us and doesn't
want us to be hurt by sin.
God's chastisement can be compared to a loving parent who has
warned his child not to play in the street. One afternoon he sees his son
bouncing a ball in the middle of the road. To prevent future harm to the
child, this parent will correct his son.
Realizing that God has your best interest at heart will help you to
remain faithful during chastening. Christian, if we quit in the midst of
chastening, we lose the benefit of it! God does have a purpose for the
chastening but He cannot accomplish His purpose if we turn from Him.
Are you experiencing God's chastening? Enduring chastening is
never easy, but it is God's way of correcting our path when we stray from
Him. Realize these times are meant to help you, not hurt you. Rather
than resisting God's chastening or ignoring His leading, spend extra time
listening to His voice. Let God correct your path, and allow Him to draw
you closer to Himself through the chastening.
n China's later Han era, there lived a politician name Yang Zhen, a
I man known for his upright character. After Yang Zhen was made a
provincial governor, one of his earlier patrons, Wang Mi, paid him a visit.
As they talked over old times, Wang Mi brought out a large gold cup and
presented it to Yang Zhen. Yang Zhen refused to accept it, but Wang Mi
persisted, saying, "There's no one here but you and me, so no one will
know." "You say no one will know," Yang Zhen replied, "but that is not
true. Heaven will know, and you and I will know, too." Ashamed, Wang
Mi backed down. Subsequently Yang Zhen's integrity won increasing
recognition, and he rose to a high post in the central government.
We all face temptations from Satan, and none of us are strong
enough on our own to resist the devil. How many times have we tried to
say no only to fall into Satan's trap?
Jesus was tempted just as we are tempted. Jesus Christ was woo/o
God while He was on earth, yet He was also 100% man. He felt hunger
when He was without food and felt the pain of the Cross's nails. When
the devil tempted Him, He felt the pull of sin. Each time He was tempted,
however, Jesus quoted God's Word to refute the devil. And each time He
quoted the Bible, Satan left Him alone.
How are you combating the devil's attacks? Are you prepared for
his temptations? Determine now to memorize at least one Bible verse
a week. Pick verses that deal with a weakness or a temptation you face
often. Write the verse down on a 3X5 card and put it on your bathroom
mirror, refrigerator, or somewhere you will see it. As you build your
arsenal of defense, you will be prepared to answer the devil with God's
two-edged Sword.
People Business
And though I have the gift ofprophecy, and understand all mysteries,
and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could
remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
- I CORINTHIANS 13:2
I n the 19sos, marketing whiz Stanley Arnold was asked to come up with
a marketing campaign for Remington Rand. The company was among
the most conservative in America with retired General Douglas MacArthur
as its chairman. Intimidated at first by a company that was so much "a
part of America;' Arnold also found in that phrase the first inspiration for
a campaign.
After thinking about it, he went to a New York broker's office to place
the ultimate odd-lot order: one share of every single stock listed on the
New York Stock Exchange. The order came to over $42,ooo for one share
in each of the 1098 companies listed on the Big Board.
Arnold now took his diversified portfolio to Remington Rand's board
of directors, where he argued passionately for a sweepstakes campaign with
the top prize called ''A Share in America." The conservative old gentlemen
shifted around in their seats and discussed the idea for a while. "But Mr.
Arnold;' said one, "we are not in the securities business; we are in the shaver
business.""! agree that you are not in the securities business:' Arnold replied,
"but I think you also ought to realize that you are not in the shaver business
either. You are in the people business." The company bought the idea.
God's main goal is not for us to build a large church, have the most
activities, or design the nicest bulletin; His focus is on the souls of the
people in our communities. The focus of our lives as Christians should be
to reach out to those who don't know Christ and share with them His gift
of salvation.
How many people do you interact with everyday without sharing
God's gift of life with them? When you view people as God views them,
you will have a burden for their eternal destiny.
Follow Directions
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
-MATTHEW 4:19
rofessional golfer Tommy Bolt was playing in Los Angeles and had a
P caddy with a reputation of constant chatter. Before they teed off, Bolt
told him, "Don't say a word to me. And if I ask you something, just answer
yes or no:'
During the round, Bolt found the ball next to a tree, where he had
to hit under a branch, over a lake and onto the green. He got down on his
knees and looked through the trees and sized up the shot.
"What do you think?" he asked the caddy. "Five-iron?""No, Mr. Bolt;'
the caddy said. "What do you mean, not a five-iron?" Bolt snorted. "Watch
this shot." The caddy rolled his eyes. "No-o-o, Mr. Bolt."
But Bolt hit the ball, and it stopped about two feet from the hole.
He turned to his caddy, handed him the five-iron and said, "Now what do
you think about that? You can talk now." "Mr. Bolt;' the caddy said, "that
wasn't your ball."
Following directions is important in life. Whether it's map directions,
procedure directions, or assembly directions, instruction and direction is
a large part of our everyday life.
Directions are meant to help us. Despite what some people think,
we do not have all the answers to life. We need God's direction and help to
keep us heading in the right direction.
Just as the golfer in the story silenced his caddy and ignored his pleas,
sadly many Christians have silenced God by ignoring His direction in
their lives. God wants to help guide us, but He can't if we aren't listening
to Him and obeying Him.
Is God leading you in a specific way? Has He given direction that
you are avoiding? Don't silence Him through disobedience; heed His
direction and follow Him. Remember to always be sensitive to the Lord's
instructions, for when you do, you'll always be a success.
Finding Satisfaction
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down
from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow
ofturning.-JAMES I:I7
od has a plan for your life, and it is much greater than you or I
G could possibly imagine. The God that created the heavens and the
earth wants to meet with you today. He wants to bless you and show you
things that you never thought possible. Jesus came that we would have
life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Satan, however, works to
entice us to do that which is evil and thus thwart God's awesome plan
for our lives.
In today's verse we are told "every good and perfect gift is from above."
Every good thing that has ever happened to me can be traced to God. The
word perfect here means complete, wanting nothing. God tells us "I have
a complete package here for you called 'life.' You don't need to dabble in
sin. Just keep yourself in love with Me."
Let me put it simply. Do you love God? Are you completely satisfied
with God, or does it take a little bit of the old life to make you happy? Is
God enough for you? God has given us so much-His Word, His mercies
that endure forever, beautiful sunrises and breathtaking sunsets. God
even gave Himself-dying a criminal's death for the sins of the world. All
He asks from us is that we love Him.
Unfortunately, many Christians today say, "Lord, I really appreciate
all those nice things that You've done, but I'm going to go do my own
thing over here. I'll take a bit of what You have to offer and a bit of what
the world can give me."
Are you looking for satisfaction apart from God? Talk to God about
it. Tell Him that you want to come back to that place where He is all you
need. He wants to be your complete satisfaction.
oger Simms was hitchhiking his way home after serving overseas in the
R war. Flashing the hitchhiking sign to an oncoming car, he hopped in
when the car stopped. "You're in luck if you're going to Chicago;' the driver
said. "I have a business there. My name is Hanover." Roger, a Christian, felt
a compulsion to witness of Christ to this fifty-ish, apparently successful
businessman, but he kept putting it off, until he realized he was just thirty
minutes from his home. It was now or never. So, Roger cleared his throat
and explained the way of salvation, ultimately asking Mr. Hanover if he
would like to receive Christ as his Saviour. To Roger's astonishment, the
Cadillac pulled over to the side of the road, and Mr. Hanover bowed his
head and received Christ.
Five years went by, and one day Roger decided to look up Hanover
Enterprises. A receptionist told him it was impossible to see Mr. Hanover
but ushered him into a lovely office where he found himself facing a
keen-eyed woman in her fifties. She extended her hand. "You knew
my husband?"
Roger told how her husband had given him a ride after the war. "Can
you tell me when that was?" asked Mrs. Hanover. "It was May 7, the day I
was discharged from the army." Mrs. Hanover asked, "Was there anything
special about that day?" A bit hesitant he replied, "That day I explained
the Gospel, and he received Christ." Explosive sobs shook her body. "I had
prayed for my husband's salvation for years," she sobbed. "He was in a car
crash after he let you out of the car. He never got home."
Had Roger ignored the Spirit's leading, Mr. Hanover would be
spending eternity without Christ.
Do you ever find yourself ignoring God's leading to witness? Commit
right now to being sensitive to God's leading in the area of witnessing, and
let Him use you to tell others of His love.
Come Boldly
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such
things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what
man shall do unto me.-HEBREWS 13:5-6
Do Something
And of some have compassion, making a difference:-JUDE 22
Within Reach
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises ...
- 2 PETERI:4
poor old widow, living in the Scottish Highlands, was called upon
A one day by a gentleman who had heard that she was in need. The
old lady complained of her condition, and remarked that her son was in
Australia and doing well.
"But does he do nothing to help you?" inquired the visitor. "No,
nothing;' was the reply. "He writes me regularly once a month, but only
sends me a little picture with his letter." The gentleman asked to see one
of the pictures that she had received, and found each one of them to be
a draft for ten pounds.
This widow had been living in poverty not knowing that help was
within her reach! Sadly, this is the condition of many of God's children.
He has given us many"exceeding great and precious promises" which we
either are ignorant of or fail to appropriate.
When you read a promise in the Bible, do you view it as something
you can have, or as a promise someone more spiritual can attain? Christian,
God has given His promises to each and every one of us. The minute you
were saved, each promise was applied directly to your life! God didn't
promise blessings simply for the "super godly" or more spiritual people.
He's given them to you, His child.
So how do you view God's promises? Have you claimed them in
your own life? It has been said that an open Bible and an open heart
place all God's promises within our reach. You can have victory over sin,
supply for your every need, protection from the devil, and grace for every
trial! Simply claim God's promises and allow Him to bless you!
The next time you come across a promise in God's Word, take time
to underline, highlight, or write it out. Then pray over each promise and
ask God to apply it to your life. Have faith that God will come through
on His promise!
Flight 401
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy
that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set
down at the right hand of the throne of God.- HEBREWS 12:2
Sacrificial Rewards
Give, and it shall be given unto you .. .-LUKE 6:38
BeYeKind
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.- EPHESIANS 4:32
once read a story of a Christian singer who was diagnosed with cancer
I of the tongue. Just before the surgery that would remove both the
cancer and his ability to sing, he questioned the doctor," Sir, are you sure
that I will never sing again after this surgery?" The doctor nodded.
The patient asked if he could sit up for a moment. "I've had many
good times singing the praise of God;' he reminisced. "And now you tell
me I can never sing again. I have one song that will be my last. It will be of
gratitude and praise to God." And there in the operating room, the man
sang the words of Isaac Watts' hymn: "I'll praise my Maker while I've
breath, and when my voice is lost in death. Praise shall employ my nobler
powers; my days of praise shall ne'er be past, while life, and thought, and
being last, or immortality endures."
We are quick to complain, but slow to praise. When things don't go
as planned-we complain. When some setback has come our way-we
complain. When someone neglects us-we complain. Very rarely do we
stop to consider God's purposes in the events of our lives or to thank
God for what He has given us.
The man in our story was so used to singing God's praises that it
was second nature to him to praise God even in the midst of a storm.
Never forget that even in the midst of trials, God's hand of mercy is on
you. Choose to praise Him even in your darkest hours, for He never
ceases to be good.
List at least ten things for which you can praise God, and spend
time thanking God for the many ways He has blessed you.
He's So Good to Me
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth
them that trust in him.-NAHUM 1:7
1 Outof360
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the
name of our Lord jesus Christ.- EPHESIANS 5:20
n the fifth century, a man named Arenius left Egyptian society in his
I determination to live a holy life. Although he lived simply in the desert,
he often visited the great city of Alexandria. When asked why he spent so
much time browsing through the city's bazaars, he explained that doing
so caused his heart to rejoice at the sight of all the things he didn't need.
Arenius took joy in knowing he did not need the luxuries of Egypt
to be happy. How different the average Christian is today. Most people
walk through a store and become depressed at all they wish they had.
Notice how the prodigal son "took his journey into a far country."
One thing that happens when someone becomes materialistic is he
becomes discontent with his present environment.
Some will change their career five to six times. Whether it's for a
raise in pay, a bigger house, or an easier workload, many people become
dissatisfied with where they are and seek to move on. When the pursuit
of bigger and better possessions and an easier lifestyle is the motivation
behind your career change, beware of the devil's trap of materialism.
The materialistic person has no desire for the Heavenly Father.
When someone is consumed with the idea of getting ahead, they have no
time for church or for spending time with God.
When making life-changing decisions, seek godly counsel from
your pastor, godly authority, and God's Word. While many live to satisfy
their own desires, we are to live to satisfy God's will for our lives. When
you keep Christ as the center of your life and allow Him to reveal His will
for you, you can avoid the trend of materialism.
Eternal Investments
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure
is, there will your heart be also.-MATTHEW 6:19~21
He Came Down to Us
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;- ROMANS 3:23
don't know about you, but coming up short has never been a very
! exciting experience in my life. For example, not long ago I was at a fast
food restaurant with a couple of my children. After placing our order,
I reached into my pocket and was surprised to find three one-dollar
bills. I knew there was a larger bill somewhere in my wallet; so as the
line of frustrated customers grew behind me, I began a frantic search.
It soon became very obvious that there was no money; I had come up
short financially.
Sometimes a student falls short of a needed grade point average,
or a traveler arrives at his airport gate just a little too late. It never feels
good to come up short in any situation! Did you know the commonality
or universal truth of mankind is found in the fact that we all fall short of
God's glory?
You are probably thinking, "Is this what I have to hear about
today-I fall short of God's glory? Merry Christmas to you, too." It is
important for you to understand this truth if you are going to appreciate
the fact that although you fall short, Jesus in His love came down to you.
Isaiah 9:6 says, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and
the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counseller, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince
of Peace."
Because we fall short of God's glory, Jesus, God in the flesh, came
down to us. He offers the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of
eternal life as a free gift. Romans 6:23 says, "... the gift of God is eternal
life through Jesus Christ our Lord." If you have never accepted Jesus Christ,
ask Him to be your Saviour today, and receive the greatest Gift of all this
holiday season. If you have received Jesus as your Saviour, thank Him for
sacrificing Himself for you.
hile walking through the forest one day, a man found a young eagle
W that had fallen out of his nest. He took it home and put it in his
barnyard where it soon learned to eat and behave like the chickens. One
day a naturalist passed by the farm and asked why it was that the king of
all birds should be confined to live in the barnyard with the chickens. The
farmer replied that since he had given it chicken feed and trained it to be
a chicken, it had never learned to fly.
"Still it has the heart of an eagle;' replied the naturalist, "and can
surely be taught to fly:' He lifted the eagle toward the sky. The eagle,
however, was confused. He did not know who he was, and seeing the
chickens eating their food, he jumped down to be with them again.
After several unsuccessful attempts in the barnyard, the naturalist
took the eagle out to a high mountain. There he held the king of the birds
high above him and encouraged him again. The eagle looked around,
down to the earth and up to the sky. Then he began to tremble. Slowly
he stretched his wings, and with a triumphant cry, soared away into
the heavens.
This eagle didn't know what he was missing in the barnyard. He
was willing to scratch for birdseed when he could be flying among the
most revered birds in the animal kingdom.
What is your birdseed today? Is there something in your life that you
are holding on to so tightly that God cannot fill your life with blessings?
Let God have whatever is holding you back. Open your life and your
heart to Him and to His will for your life, and let Him pour His blessings
upon your life today!
D ecorative Christmas lights are not the true lights of Christmas. The
wise men were guided by a star to the true light-Jesus Christ.
When Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, His light remained on earth.
Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my
path." Second Peter 1:19 says, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy;
whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark
place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts."
We still have the true light of Christmas. The light came in swaddling
clothes on the first Christmas; today the light comes through the Bible.
The Bible is a living book. Its truths are just as relevant and needed today
as they were two thousand years ago.
When we read the Bible, the light of the Bible begins its unique
work-removing the darkness in our lives. After reading a portion of
Scripture we may think, "Wow! I really needed that:' or "I never saw that
truth before." Or, we may suddenly close the Bible because it hit a painful
area in our lives, or because it convicted our "stubborn" minds.
When you read the Bible, are you willing to change your mind every
time the Lord convicts your heart? Are you willing to let the light of Jesus
Christ shine through you even if that means changing your thoughts, your
preferences, or your convictions? When we are not willing to change our
minds, it is as if we are saying, "Lord, in that area, I choose darkness:'
God's Word is alive and ready to change your life. The wise men
traveled from afar to seek the light of Christmas. Are you willing to travel
to the Bible on your shelf to seek the true light of Christmas?
an you imagine Mary's surprise when she found out that she was
C pregnant with the Son of God? Can you imagine the initial fear
and shock as the announcement from Gabriel reverberated in her mind?
How would she tell Joseph, the man she was espoused to marry, that she
was pregnant by the Holy Ghost? Would he still want to marry her? In
those days, the punishment for an offence against an espousal was great.
Would Joseph understand the situation?
Luke 1:38 gives us insight into the character of Mary and her
yielded spirit towards God and His divine plan: "And Mary said, Behold,
the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the
angel departed from her." To put this in today's vernacular, this was not
a planned pregnancy, and Mary's friends and relatives would probably
counsel her to not go through with the ordeal.
Thankfully, Mary was sensitive to the Lord's will. She was yielded
to Him even in a confusing and difficult circumstance. Because of her
willingness to accept God's plan, she brought forth the Saviour of this
world on that first Christmas morning.
Mary was a living testimony that God is ready to assume full
responsibility for the life that is completely yielded to Him. You may say,
"I just don't know if I should step out by faith and trust God." I believe
Mary was saying, "Lord, I'm going to keep on believing, and I'm going to
leave the results up to You; because if I follow Your Word, You will take
care of me."
The God of Mary is the same God who has promised to supply all of
your needs (Philippians 4:19). He is the same yesterday, today, and forever
(Hebrews 13:8). Will you yield your will to His divine plan? Remember
that God is waiting to bless the life that is wholly yielded to Him.
0 ne man related the advice his grandfather gave him: "There are two
kinds of people-those who do the work and those who take the
credit. Always try to be in the first group; there is less competition there:'
We all like for our work to be recognized. Sometimes we're even
tempted to serve from the wrong motive, pridefully desiring recognition.
Other times we begin our service from the right motive, but become
distracted by others' applause. But for the Christian who loves God
supremely, the greatest reward for labor is not the praise of men; it is the
approval of God.
When you accomplish a task, and someone praises your hard
work, do you find satisfaction with the applause of man? God is not
interested in this type of service. When you sneak into your prayer closet
after everyone has gone to bed and sacrifice sleep in order to know your
Saviour better, God applauds.
Before God tells us to love Him with our strength, He tells us to love
Him with our hearts. "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might" (Deuteronomy 6:s). We
may attract the praise of men, but do our hearts, lives, and service please
God? God doesn't need your abilities; He doesn't need your creativity; He
doesn't need your talents. God desires your whole heart!
What ministry would you fail to serve in if no one would ever
know? In what way can you serve the Lord today that will not be known
by anyone but the One you serve? The service you do for the Lord will be
richly rewarded by Him. He sees, and He applauds.
Remaining Sensitive
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day
of redemption.- EPHESIANS 4:30
L et's look at the humble stable in which Jesus was born for a moment.
Many of the stables were actually limestone caves in the side of a
mountain, and in each cave a feeding trough or manger was filled with
hay for the animals that grazed in the nearby pastures. On that first
Christmas morning, the Messiah was placed into a lowly manger.
I believe this symbolizes the availability of our Saviour. He could
have been born into a beautiful palace where none of us could have
gotten past the front gates. Instead, He chose to be born where anyone
could come to Him. The Lord and Creator of the universe became poor
in order to reach us, the needy ones.
It is interesting that all year long church bells ring, choirs sing,
preachers preach, yet many who need Christ turn away. Then as the
year draws to a close, Christmas offers its wonderful message: He who
resided in Heaven, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,
willingly descended into our world. He breathed our air, felt our pain,
knew our sorrows, and died for our sins.
Not only is Jesus available, He is also approachable. There were
no guards to keep people away; there was no required payment or
membership. The rugged, hard-working shepherds came to Him, and
later the wealthy and educated wise men came to Him. Anyone-men
and women, young and old, rich and poor-can come to Him because
He is approachable.
To the weary He says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden" (Matthew n:28). He tells the thirsty to come to Him and
drink (John 7:38). Have you approached Him today? Have you brought
your needs and your burdens to Him? He is available to all who approach
Him by faith.
hen my son Larry was younger, I took him outside one day to
W teach him how to play basketball. I would shoot and show him
the techniques, then hand him the ball. He struggled to get it to the rim.
Finally after I made a shot, Larry said, "Yeah, it's easy for you up there,
Dad, but you don't know what it's like from down here!"
While I didn't know what it was like to shoot from Larry's level, our
Heavenly Father does know what it is like to experience the difficulties
of life down here on earth. Christ knows the trials we are going through,
and He understands the pressures we feel.
During one twenty-four hour period, Jesus lost a loved one, was
drawn away from having personal time with His Father, faced a needy
multitude of people, and had to rescue His disciples from a storm (see
Matthew 14).
Yet Christ endured these situations and continued about His
Father's business. He didn't get upset or bitter at the circumstances-He
simply obeyed God. When things don't go the way we plan, we too must
trust God and turn to Him for help.
Christ knows what we are going through, and He offers to help us.
We can approach Him boldly with our struggles and pressures because
He has gone through them as well!
Are you going through a trial or difficulty in your life? Christ
understands, and He wants to help you. Take time right now to seek His
help and comfort. Trust Him to strengthen and guide you as you live for
Him today.
fter the world endured silence for four hundred years (from the last
A verse of the Old Testament until the birth of John the Baptist was
announced), the most miraculous event in human history took place-
our Saviour was born. God works through silence. Even though we
cannot always trace His every move, He is still working in our lives.
A story has been told of a man who was told by the Lord to push
against a giant boulder with all his might. Day after day he toiled from
sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive
surface of the unmoving rock. Each night the man returned to his cabin
sore and worn out.
After months of pushing with no signs of accomplishment, the man
approached the Lord. "Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in
your service, putting all my strength to do that which You have asked. Yet,
after all this time, I have not even budged the rock by half a centimeter. I
am failing You."
To this the Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, I only asked
you to push against the rock. I did not tell you to move it. You think you
have failed, but look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your
back sinewy and sturdy, your hands are callused from constant pressure,
and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you
have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to
have. You have accomplished all I asked. It is My job to move the rock."
God wants to use you, and He is strengthening you through times of
waiting, solitude, and uncertainty. When God is silent, He is still working.
Remain obedient and open to His will. Even though you cannot always
see Him working, He is! The question is, "Will you remain faithful when
He is silent?"
A wife told her husband, "Last night I dreamed you gave me two
hundred dollars to spend on a Christmas wardrobe. Surely you
wouldn't do anything to spoil a dream like that, would you?" "Of course
not;' he replied. "You may keep the two hundred dollars."
Yes, this is the season for giving and receiving, but as this story
illustrates, some people are a little stingy in their giving. I want to tell
you about a very generous Giver. In fact, He gave to us the greatest gift of
all-eternal life. For some people, it is so incredible-so unbelievable-
that they have trouble accepting this gift. One man said, "I was brought
up to believe that you got what you earned ... nothing comes free. The gift
of salvation is incredible to a guy like me:'
John 1 tells how Jesus Christ came to earth, how some people
rejected Him, but how others received Him as their Saviour. Verse 12
says, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as
received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name." If this is truly a season for receiving, why don't
you accept this gift and become a son or daughter of God right now?
Maybe you have already received Jesus Christ as your Saviour, but
have you received His Word? James 1:21-22 says, "Wherefore ... receive
with meekness the engrafted word ... But be ye doers of the word, and not
hearers only ...." God commands us in this passage to not only be hearers,
but doers of the Word. Wouldn't receiving God's Word and then obeying
it be a great gift to give back to Jesus Christ this Christmas?
Friend, once you have accepted Jesus Christ and received His Word,
your holidays can truly be a season of rejoicing.
A Taxing Pressure
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
-LUKE 2:5
hat made Mary so special? Why was she "highly favored by God"?
W Why did God choose Mary through whom to send His Son to
earth instead of another woman in Israel?
Mary was prepared. It is prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 that Jesus would
be born to a virgin, "Therefore the Lord himselfshall give you a sign; Behold,
a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Mary was morally pure. She had remained chaste and pure
throughout her life. She followed God's laws, allowing God to use her in
a mighty way.
So many times we want to be used of God, but we don't want to
obey His guidelines. We want God to bless our lives, but we refuse to give
our lives to Him. Mary understood that there were rules to be followed
to be used of God, and she obeyed them. Is following our own rules
and "doing our own thing" so important to us that we would forfeit the
blessings that God wants to give us?
Do you want to be used by God? Don't allow your life to be wasted
by not letting Christ use you. What in your life may be holding you back
from being used by God? Remove any hindrances from your life that are
preventing Him from using you. Let God use you to do amazing things
for His glory!
AMOS I 3 * REVELATION 6
Decen1ber 16
Humility to Humanity
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because
there was no room for them in the inn.- LUKE 2:6-7
ave you ever considered the bleakness of the first Christmas? There
H were no festivities or Christmas dinners or joyful carols. Jesus Christ
did not make a grand entrance into this world; He came in humility. Instead
of being wrapped in the finest materials, He was wrapped in swaddling
clothes. Mary and Joseph found a manger-a trough for animals-where
baby Jesus could sleep. Our King of kings and Lord of lords entered
humanity clothed in humility.
Following in the footsteps of Christ begins with living a life of
humility. Samuel Morse, the famous inventor of the electric telegraph and
originator of Morse Code, was once asked if he ever encountered situations
where he didn't know what to do. Morse responded, "More than once, and
whenever I could not see my way clearly, I knelt down and prayed to God
for light and understanding."
Morse received many honors for the telegraph but felt unworthy: "I
have made a valuable application of electricity not because I was superior
to other men but solely because God, who meant it for mankind, must
reveal it to someone and He was pleased to reveal it to me."
Samuel Morse responded humbly when praised for his invention.
Humility recognizes that everything we have accomplished is fruit from
what God and others have invested in us. There are no truly "self-made
men;' and one who is humble, like Samuel Morse, acknowledges what he
has received from others.
Jesus Christ " ... humbled himself, and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:8). Are you willing to clothe
yourself in humility, to find the lowest place and there serve others? This is
humility; this is Christ-likeness.
hen the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, she was quite surprised.
W Mary was an ordinary Jewish woman, yet now she had been told
that she would bear and give birth to baby Jesus. What a tremendous honor,
yet she was puzzled by how she being a virgin would bear this Child.
The angel explained that Christ was going to be born of the Holy
Spirit, not of man. Although we cannot fully comprehend this, God has
the miraculous power to accomplish the unimaginable. Verse 37 says, "For
with God nothing shall be impossible." Mary believed and said in verse 38,
"Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."
Even though Mary didn't understand all that would happen, she trusted
the Lord. She let the Lord have control over the situation and she was
glad to be used of God.
God's promises are proven by His power. When God promises
you something, you can know that He'll come through. Sometimes our
human minds cannot figure out how God will work something out in
our lives, but all we need to know is that God promised it and has the
power to fulfill it. It's not up to us to figure out a plan for God to fulfill His
promises. We simply need to trust Him and let Him show us His power.
Is there an area in your life in which you are failing to trust God and
His ways? Just as God demonstrated His power in Mary's life, He has the
power to fulfill His promises in our lives. Nothing is too hard for God! Give
your worries and problems to Him and trust His miraculous power.
Be Joyful1
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout
for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be
joyful in thee.-PSALM 5:11
. A ~ip arriving in New York from Rio de Janeiro brought with it a pair
.1:\.of canaries. The birds were both fine singers, both in the quality of
their voices and the range of their notes. Interestingly, the distinguishing
characteristic of these songbirds was that they always sang at night.
The Lord has many such canaries. It is the distinguishing
characteristic of the genuine Christian that in the darkest night of trial,
he is able to sing songs of hope, courage, and victory. Songs in the night
seasons are some of the most effective testimonies ever given.
For many people the Christmas holidays are a time of family
gatherings and happy memories. For others, the holidays bring back
past regrets, unhappy relationships, and loneliness. Yet regardless of your
circumstances, it is possible to rise above the dark nights of trial and
experience sustained joy during Christmas and through the new year.
One way to experience sustained joy is through service. Paul wrote
in Philippians 2:17, "Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service
of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all." When a Christian turns his
attention from his own problems and focuses on the needs of others, he
experiences true joy.
Another way to experience sustained joy is through witnessing.
The holidays give families a rare opportunity to reunite with loved ones.
What better gift could you give your relatives than the Lord Jesus Christ?
Psalm 126:6 states, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed,
shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
Are you experiencing true joy this holiday season? Remember
that the joy of Christmas outlasts the final present or the last piece of
pie-especially when we invest in the lives of others through serving
and witnessing.
lthough the wise men were following the light of a star, the Bible was
A their true guide, for it was an Old Testament prophecy that predicted
where Christ would be born. Micah 5:2 gives us this Old Testament
prophecy: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the
thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be
ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."
Just as the Bible guided the wise men to Jesus so many years ago, the Bible
will light our path today. Psalm n9:105 says, "Thy word is a lamb unto my
feet, and a light unto my path."
The wise men recognized who Jesus Christ was, and they allowed
His light to guide their paths. Sadly, Herod's heart was darkened to the
Messiah, and he rejected Christ. When the wise men sought the Saviour,
they recognized Him as the King of kings and desired to bring Him
honor and worship.
As you go about your day, remember Jesus Christ. He is waiting
to guide you into His pathway of light this Christmas. Wise men still
seek Him!
They Saw
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying
which was told them concerning this child.-LUKE 2:17
ave you ever asked yourself, "Why is it so hard for me to tell others
H of my faith? I believe in God, and I want to do His will, but why is
sharing my faith unnatural?"
The answers to these questions are found in the shepherds. After
seeing baby Jesus, the shepherds went back to tend their sheep. They
went back to their routines, but they were forever changed. What was
it that provoked the shepherds to change? What was it that caused them
to make "known abroad the saying which was told them"? The shepherds
"had seen." Their seeing provoked their sharing of the faith.
The shepherds took time to consider all that they were seeing on
that very special night. They saw the angel appear to them. They saw the
heavenly hosts praising God. They saw the babe lying in a manger just
as the angel said. They saw God incarnated and looking like any other
newborn infant. They saw that this night revealed special events that only
meant God was once again at work in Israel after so many years of silence.
They saw!
After a magnificent happening, these shepherds went back to their
usual way of life, and they also went back and told others about the birth
of the Saviour. It came natural to them because they first took time to
see. When you genuinely see a soul tattered and torn, and you watch
as God's Word comforts and molds that soul into a beautiful image of
His Son, you will be more provoked to tell others of Christ. When you
watch a single mom balance all of her responsibilities while nurturing
her children in the admonition of the Lord, you are seeing God's grace
at work.
Observe how God is working in your life, in the life of your family,
your church, and your work. Allow God's working to motivate you to
share your faith-to make known abroad the Lord Jesus Christ.
E" very year our church has a special time when we gather together and
. offer Christmas gifts to Jesus. I think it is important for our families
to realize whose birthday we are truly celebrating.
The wise men knew whose birth they were celebrating. The
Bible says they gave Him gifts of "gold, frankincense, and myrrh." Most
importantly, they gave Him the gift of worship and adoration. Giving
was their way of ascribing worth to Christ the Messiah.
The wise men honored Jesus as the King of kings by giving Him
gold, as Priest by giving Him frankincense, and as Prophet by giving Him
myrrh. All of these gifts are of great value and are associated with wealth
and royalty. The wise men recognized who Jesus was-the Lord and
Saviour of the world.
Luke 16:13 says, "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will
hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise
the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Our wealth or possessions
are so intimately related to ourselves that we cannot give an offering
without giving ourselves. In essence, the wise men were recognizing their
need for a Saviour over their need for money or material possessions.
They were saying, "We choose to serve God over money."
Many people today are so materialistic that they think money
diminishes one's need for God. Just as the wise men recognized Christ's
birth, we should remember the true meaning of Christmas. During this
season, let's be thinking about the wise men's gift of worship. Shouldn't
we take time to give Christ our worship this holiday season?
l{
,..,@t)ugh the shepherds were poor and often the outcasts of society,
i .J.:'''~d though they did not have expensive gifts to give the Messiah
like the gifts of the wise men, there were two gifts the shepherds gave to
baby Jesus.
" ... the shepherds said one to another, Let us go now even unto
Bethlehem ...." The shepherds gave the Lord Jesus the gift of faithfulness.
They said, "Lord, we want to get to where You are as quickly as we can,
and we want to be with You and tell everyone about Your coming." Every
one of us can give the gift of faithfulness. We can be faithful to God's
house in the new year. We can be faithful to read His Word. We can be
faithful to love our families.
The shepherds also gave the gift of praise. "And the shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard
and seen, as it was told them." A journey that is begun in faith will always
end in praise. The shepherds followed the words of the angel by faith, and
when they arrived at the stable, their faith became sight. This gave them
great joy, and they began to praise God. If you want more for which to
praise God in your life, step out by faith and follow God's Word.
Choose to walk by faith. Trust in God, and give to Him the gift of
praise. As your faith grows and your joy abounds, you will be so thankful
for His presence in your life.
T he older I get, the more Christmas seasons I have lived through and
the more memories I have made. Observing the past years, some
Christmas days stand out brightly while others mesh together. As I
think back to what makes my Christmas most memorable, allow me to
encourage you to make this Christmas Day an unforgettable one.
Spend solitary time with the Lord. Before a gift is unwrapped or food
is prepared, give the Lord the first part of your day. Praise Him, worship
Him, and revere Him. Make a list of five ways you can grow spiritually,
and give them to the Lord as a birthday present for Him.
Read the Christmas story and meditate upon God's Word. A
wonderful way to include the entire family is to act out the Christmas
story, or have each family member read verses in Luke chapter two.
Sing songs of praise to the Lord-"Oh Come Let Us Adore Him,"
"Hark the Herold Angels Sing," or "Silent Night, Holy Night." Sing with
your relatives or in your alone time with God.
Be genuinely grateful for gifts. May your heart be filled with sincere
gratitude every time someone expresses their love with a gift. Show your
family and relatives true appreciation for their kindness as you open
presents around the Christmas tree.
Reach out to others. Call a distant loved one or friend. Encourage
someone who has helped you this past year with a phone call. You may
even visit an orphanage or a hospital with your family. Take the Gospel to
those hurting, and share the good news on Christmas Day.
Remember. Remember the miracle that happened so long ago.
Remember the real reason of Christmas-Jesus Christ came to earth to
save His people from their sins.
My prayer is that your Christmas Day be filled with joy and spiritual
replenishment. Merry Christmas!
He Is Coming Again1
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and
shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of
the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father
David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his
kingdom there shall be no end.-LUKE 1:31-33
esus was born during a time when the Jews were anticipating a king
J that would bring immediate military deliverance from the oppression
, of the Romans. Yet, our Saviour did not come as they thought He would.
Instead of coming as a mighty king, He came as an innocent baby boy,
born in a manger in Bethlehem. Instead of bringing freedom from the
Romans, He died to give us freedom from our sin.
Although He did not come to set up His kingdom when He came so
long ago, He will one day come again to take all believers to Heaven with
Him. Revelation 19:16 says, "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a
name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
One day Jesus will return and destroy all evil and establish His
kingdom for all eternity. We have hope because we know that all who
believe on His name will reign with Him!
One day there will be no more struggles and heartache. There will
be no more pain and trials. There is hope! One day Christ will take all
those who have trusted in Him to Heaven to live with Him forever. Be
thankful and joyful that Christ came to earth and died on Calvary so we
might live with Him for eternity.
Only those who have accepted Christ's gift of salvation will spend
eternity with Him in Heaven. We need to be diligent in our witness for
Christ to those who have never accepted Christ as their Saviour. The
Lord is coming soon. Who do you need to tell of Christ's free gift of
salvation today?
story was once told of a little boy whose sister needed a blood
A transfusion. The doctor explained that she had the same disease the
boy had recovered from two years earlier. Her only chance for recovery was
a transfusion from someone who had previously conquered the disease.
Since the two children had the same rare blood type, the boy was the
ideal donor.
"Would you give your blood to Mary?" the doctor asked. Johnny
hesitated. His lower lip started to tremble. Then he smiled and said, "Sure,
for my sister." Soon the two children were wheeled into the hospital room.
Neither spoke, but when their eyes met, Johnny grinned. When the ordeal
was almost over, Johnny broke the silence. "Doctor, when do I die?" Only
then did the doctor realize that Johnny had thought giving his blood to his
sister meant giving up his life.
Fortunately, Johnny didn't have to die to save his sister. Each of us,
however, has a condition more serious than Mary's, and it required Jesus
to give not just His blood, but His life.
Even though we sinned and turned our backs on God, He sent His
Son to pay the price that we might live with Him for all eternity. What
motivated Him to give His life for a people who wanted Him to die? Love-a
love that superseded all other emotions. A love so amazing, so divine.
Even so, we should strive to be like Christ by showing those around
us His great love-love for others that goes beyond any feelings of hatred
or hurt, any loss or pain.
Is there someone you are refusing to love? Someone you cannot
forgive? Seek God's help in loving others the way He loved us so many
years ago on that rugged Cross.
Setting Goals
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus.- PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14
Forever Faithful
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only,
but unto all them also that love his appearing.-2 TIMOTHY 4:7-8
((I{
:-.L\1.\Uil ,,to Rl \ j L \TIC>N 22
INDEXES
c~
A Daily Word
Title Index
January February
1 A Passion for His Word 1 He Already Paid for It
2 Continuing in Fellowship 2 Stretch Your Faith
3 Continuing in Prayer 3 Faith Displayed
4 His Creation 4 God's Powerful Word
5 Purpose for Living 5 Listen and Receive
6 He Cares 6 Spending Time with Christ
7 Do It Immediately 7 He Sees
8 You Are Invited! 8 Passing the Test
9 Carry the Pots 9 When Little Is Much
10 Our Home in Heaven 10 Fear vs. Faith
11 When Jesus Gave Thanks 11 God's Love in Us
12 He Is Coming Again! 12 God's Love to Us
13 Defining Love 13 God's Love through Us
14 Blessed to Be a Blessing 14 'Til Death Do Us Part
15 Used by God 15 His Soon Return
16 Our Hidden Habit 16 Full of Grace and Truth
17 Anyone Can Come 17 Sanctification
18 A Bitter Spirit 18 Just a Voice
19 Replacing Bitterness 19 Joy and Peace
20 David or Saul? 20 Focusing on Others
21 God's Selection Process 21 Made to Serve
22 In the Midst of Giants 22 Seeing the Purpose
23 One Requirement 23 One-on-One Time
24 Come unto Me 24 Led by the Holy Spirit
25 The Unstrung Bow 25 It's All from God
26 Do You Trust Him? 26 From Fear to Faith
27 Developing God's Goodness 27 Stand in Your Place
28 Search Me, 0 God 28 Hold Your Light High
29 Carried Any Donkeys Lately? 29 Leftovers
30 The Loose Connection
31 The Brightest Light
406
A Daily Word
March April
1 Our Good Shepherd 1 God Never Changes
2 Follow the Memo 2 Looking Only to God
3 Not by Accident 3 Glorifying God
4 Warning! 4 A Message of Hope
5 How Much Time? 5 A Message of Importance
6 Following Orders 6 A Message of Forgiveness
7 You Need a Relationship 7 A True Disciple
8 Preparing for Battle 8 Forgiven
9 Responding to Scoffers 9 Coming Again
10 The Way of Temptation 10 Living by Faith
11 Restoring Fellowship 11 Choosing to Surrender
12 Standing at a Crossroads 12 Choosing to Identify
13 He Knows the Ending 13 Showing our Faith
14 Fighting Temptation 14 Reading and Remembering
15 Displaying Character 15 False Accusations
16 Cut It Down, and Forget It 16 Receive God's Grace
17 Only God Can Judge Me 17 Grateful for His Blessings
18 The Eagle with No Feathers 18 God's Promise
19 Strength to Stand 19 Compelled
20 Just Be Patient 20 Remaining Faithful
21 Delivering an Urgent Message 21 A Friend's Support
22 Make a Decision 22 A Friend's Protection
23 Not in My Strength 23 A Vision of Faith
24 When You're Discouraged 24 Joy in Christ
25 What Humility! 25 Continuing Joy
26 Father, Forgive Them 26 A Working Testimony
27 He Is Alive 27 Seek the Lord
28 He Has a Plan 28 Someone in Your Corner
29 Your Life's Journey 29 What Is Your Answer?
30 He Was There 30 In Times of Weakness
31 Ring the Bells
407
May June
1 God's Perfect Word 1 A Neighbor in Need
2 Don't Lose Your Children 2 Don't Give Up
3 Wherever He Leads 3 Didn't You Hear Me?
4 Stay in the Washing Machine 4 Rooted in Christ
5 Trust Your Barometer 5 Pulling the Weeds
6 In the Face of Adversity 6 Having Patience
7 Victory over Sin 7 A Thankful Heart
8 Motivated to Serve 8 Our Catcher
9 Be an Encourager 9 Sacrifice
10 Just Like a Llama 10 Whatever He Says, Do It
11 Reckon Yourself Dead 11 Just Obey Him
12 Choose You This Day 12 He Created It All
13 They're Watching You 13 The Old Blue Suit
14 Honoring Moms 14 Don't Rush!
15 There Is a Purpose 15 A Spirit-filled Christian
16 Never Take Counsel of Fear 16 Reasons for Ingratitude
17 A Tender Heart 17 Watch Your Back!
18 A Revealed Heart 18 Saved to Be Like Him
19 A Refined Heart 19 Just Like the Father
20 Only God Is Great 20 The Invisible Parent
21 A Heart for God Part 1 21 Sitting at His Feet
22 A Heart for God Part 2 22 Keep Your Focus
23 A Heart for God Part 3 23 Forgiveness
24 Victory over the Vines 24 When We Are Weak
25 Creating a Monster 25 The Gospel According to You
26 He Is with You 26 Where's Your Focal Point?
27 Facing Your Critics 27 A Life of Joy
28 Stop to Wash 28 A Resilient Joy
29 God's Proven Methods 29 Showing Our Joy
30 Who Art Thou? 30 I Hear You
31 Parental Protection
40R
A Daily Word
July August
1 The Greatest Loss 1 The Dead Olive Tree
2 Spiritual Freedom 2 Integrity
3 The Way to Spiritual Freedom 3 Where Is Your Home?
4 Lord, Heal Our Land 4 Walking in Humility
5 Meeting with God 5 God Will Take Care of You
6 Don't Turn Back 6 Why Call Ye Me Lord?
7 Because You've Been Forgiven 7 Don't Forget!
8 Faith and Obedience 8 Fear Not
9 Staying Close 9 And Peter
10 A Joyful Priority 10 He Will Hear
11 The Refiner's Fire 11 Proven for Greater Use
12 Useless? 12 Take It into the World
13 When There Are No Answers 13 Think before You Speak
14 Iron for Gold 14 Failure Is Not Final
15 Come unto Me 15 Blind Leading the Blind
16 A Humble Servant 16 Looking toward Heaven
17 Signs of a Humble Heart 17 Not Many Mighty
18 A Little Bit of Soap 18 Speaking the Language
19 Listen Up 19 Doing What's Right
20 A Christian Leader 20 All Is Well
21 Your Secret Weapon 21 A Parent's Prayers
22 Resisting the Snake 22 How Can I Serve?
23 Stressed Out? 23 God Has Spoken
24 When Facing Adversity 24 A Lighthouse
25 Founded on Truth 25 He Can Still Use You!
26 It's Better Higher Up 26 A Call for Help
27 Is Your Truth Fiction? 27 Keeping Your Focus
28 Judge Not 28 Trusting God's Timetable
29 Don't Be Ashamed 29 Faithfulness in Prayer
30 A Faithful Sower 30 Resting Grace
31 When Facing Criticism 31 Did You Do Your Best?
409
A Daily Word
September October
1 Pay the Price 1 The Son's Miraculous Power
2 Work the Works 2 True Faith
3 You Can't Just Sit There 3 A Moment of Faith
4 Forgiven and Restored 4 Devoted to Know Him
5 A Labor of Love 5 Loving Everyone
6 Keeping the Passion 6 A Passion to Possess
7 Renewing Biblical Passion 7 Patience during Trials
8 How to Serve Christ 8 Influence during Trials
9 Everyone Fails Sometime 9 The Reason for Trials
10 Faith to Pre-Order 10 The Path of Your Trial
11 Nestled in His Arms 11 The Results ofYour Trial
12 Pull up the Roots 12 Patient and Kind
13 I Need Air! 13 Love Is Not Jealous
14 Praise God from the Heart 14 A Heart That Prioritizes
15 The Pressures of Life 15 Analyzing Our Priorities
16 Nice Guys Finish Last 16 The Definition of Faith
17 Stop Thinking about It 17 Showing Our Faith
18 Danger! 18 What Do You Have?
19 What's Your Hurry? 19 God's Purpose
20 Stand Your Ground 20 Day-by-Day Victory
21 Personal Revival 21 Yielded to Him
22 Reading His Word 22 The Peace of God
23 Clear and Unmistakable 23 Forgiveness
24 Personal Loss 24 Time, Talents, and Treasure
25 Private Time with God 25 The Expression of Gentleness
26 Considering Others 26 Lost Keys
27 Overcoming Temptation 27 Focused on the Lord
28 Take Your Stand 28 Conquering Mt. Everest
29 Only Six Feet 29 Idle Times
30 Jesus Christ Is Precious 30 A True Heart of Repentance
31 God's Promises
410
A Daily Word
November December
1 Enduring His Chastening 1 Enjoying an Early Christmas
2 Your Steering Wheel 2 He Came Down to Us
3 God's Two-edged Sword 3 What Are You Missing?
4 Working behind the Scenes 4 The True Light of Christmas
5 World's Greatest Demand 5 A Woman Yielded to God
6 People Business 6 All I Need Is His Applause
7 Time for God 7 Remaining Sensitive
8 Follow Directions 8 The Available God
9 Finding Satisfaction 9 He Understands
10 Follow in His Patience 10 When God Is Silent
11 One Last Chance 11 A Season for Receiving
12 Come Boldly 12 Keeping Christ in Christmas
13 God's Precious Word 13 A Taxing Pressure
14 How Are You Today? 14 Gifts under the Tree
15 Do Something 15 Being Used of God
16 The Swan or the Crane 16 Humility to Humanity
17 Within Reach 17 The Faith of Simeon
18 Just Two Oranges 18 God's Miraculous Power
19 Flight 401 19 Be Joyful!
20 Sacrificial Rewards 20 Sustaining Christmas Joy
21 Who Controls Your Life? 21 The Light of Christmas
22 BeYe Kind 22 They Saw
23 Get Better, Not Bitter! 23 Christmas Gifts to Jesus
24 Praise His Name 24 The Shepherds' Gifts
25 He's So Good to Me 25 An Unforgettable Christmas
26 1 Out of360 26 He Is Coming Again!
27 What I Don't Need 27 What Wondrous Love!
28 Eternal Investments 28 Setting Goals
29 He's Listening to You 29 Your Penguin Suit
30 Finding Strength in Him 30 Prioritizing Your Day
31 Forever Faithful
411
A Dailv Word
Scripture Index
Genesis 1:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
1:31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 1:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
6:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93,96 2:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
6:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . 93-94, 96 3:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
6:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94,96 24:15 . . . . . . . . . 111, 155,165
6:22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Judges
22:2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
37:3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 7:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
39:7-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 7:20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
39:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 7:21-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
45:4-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 8:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
45:9-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
50:19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 I Samuel
50:20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50, 81 1:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
2:18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Exodus 3:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
2:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 3:11-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
4:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331 7:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
4:3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331 7:8-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
14:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 8:19-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
20:2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 13:11-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
24:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 16:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
31:18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 16:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . 48,319
32:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . 109,123 17:28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
32:3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 17:37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
32:4-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 17:38-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
34:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 17:43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Leviticus 17:48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
13:32-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 18:8-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
20:7-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 20:12-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
23:34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 30:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Deuteronomy 2Samuel
3:28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 11:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
4:29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 11:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
6:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383 12:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . 100, 343
9:9-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 I Kings
Joshua 18:21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
1:1-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 18:22-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
1:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 18:36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
1:5-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260 19:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
412
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A Daily Word
1 Timothy 1:19-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
6:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327 1:21 . . . . . . . . . . . . 64, 388
1:22 . . . . . . . . . 195,236, 388
2Timothy 1:27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
1:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 2:15-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
1:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 2:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,225
1:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 3:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
1:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32, 124 4:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
3:16-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 4:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
4:7-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408 4:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
5:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Titus
2:13-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 1 Peter
1:18-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Philemon 2:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
10-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
2:21-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Hebrews 4:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
4:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 4:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
4:15 . . . . . . 215,296, 375, 386 4:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
4:16 . 30,215,296,357,376,386 4:16 . . . . . . . . . 168,241,246
11:1, 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 5:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
11:1-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 5:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33,349
11:1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 5:8-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
11:8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 5:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
11:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
11:23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
2Peter
1:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
11:24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
1:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
11:25 . . . . . . . . . . . . 133, 165
12:1 . . . . . . . . . . . . 134,340 I John
12:2 . . . . . . . . . 134, 340, 364 1:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208, 275
12:3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340 2:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
12:5-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346 3:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
12:13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293 4:7-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
12:14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 4:9-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
12:15 . . . . . . . . . . . . 45, 368 4:11-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
13:5 . . . . 43, 179, 209, 256, 357 4:18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
13:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357 5:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159, 177
13:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382 5:5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
James Jude
1:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
1:3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
1:5-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324 Revelation
1:7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354 2:2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
1:14-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 2:4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
1:17 . . . . . . . . . . 84,192,388 19:16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
417
A Daily Word
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Costain, Thomas. The Three Edwards. Cutchogue, NY: Buccaneer Books
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Crockett, Kent. I Once Was Blind, but Now I Squint: How Perspective
Affects Our Behavior. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004.
Bobgan, Diedre & Martin. How to Counsel from Scripture. Chicago:
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Bok, Edward. Perhaps I Am. New York: Scribner's Sons, 1928.
Bracelen Flood, Charles. Lee: The Last Years. Ashland, OR: Blackstone
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Briney, Larry. Daily Grace for the Daily Grind. Longwood, FL: Xulon
Press, 2004.
Davis, Ken. How to Speak to Youth. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
Publishing, 1996.
Dickens, Monica. Miracles of Courage. New York: Dodd Mead, 1985.
Dobson, James and Gary Bauer. Children at Risk. Nashville, TN: Thomas
Nelson, 1990.
Edersheim, Alfred. Sketches of Jewish Social Life. Grand Rapids, MI:
Eerdmans, 1993.
Farrar, Steve. Family Survival in the American Jungle. Sisters, OR:
Multnomah Publishers Inc, 1991.
Fisher, Paul A. "Is Science Moving Toward Belief in God?" The Wanderer,
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Focus on the Family Magazine. Colorado Springs: Focus on the Family,
1977·
Fuller Theological Seminary. Theology News & Notes. Pasadena, CA:
Fuller Theological Seminary, 1993.
Getz, Gene. Doing Your Part When You'd Rather Let God Do It All. Ventura:
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